Gaza has been treated as a humanitarian crisis for so many years that it is easy to forget that itwas once home to a thriving economy. Living under a blockade and facing repeated conflicts,men, women and children in Gaza today face profound challenges in maintaining theirlivelihoods.Before the implementation of the Israeli policy of separation1, unemployment in Gaza was just10 percent2and productivity was high. Since the blockade was imposed, Gazas GDP has fallenby 50 percent3and there has been a number of major military operations, the first of which,operation Cast Lead, resulted in the destruction of 700 private businesses and the loss of140,000 jobs.4In response, Oxfam and its partners have been implementing economic developmentprogrammes since 2011. These are intended to support and strengthen small and medium sizedbusinesses, with a particular focus on women. This case study presents Oxfams experience ofusing shorter value chain approaches to support the development of womens food processingbusinesses in Gaza. It provides key lessons learned and recommendations arising from theprogramme.