In war-torn Gaza, a packet of Parle-G biscuits, which typically costs Rs 5 in India, is now being sold for as much as Rs 2,400. This astonishing price hike highlights the severe food scarcity and dire economic conditions in the region.
Parle-G, manufactured by Mumbai-based Parle Products, is a staple in Indian households, known for its affordability and association with childhood memories and tea breaks. It was never intended to be a luxury item. However, in Gaza, where the ongoing conflict has led to acute famine, the biscuit has become a rare and expensive treat.
A recent viral social media post from Gaza showed a man claiming that Parle-G biscuits were being sold for over 24 euros (Rs 2,342). The post, featuring a father who bought the biscuits for his daughter, has sparked outrage and concern among social media users, particularly in India, where Parle-G is a common and affordable snack. The father, Mohammed Jawad, explained in his post that he could not deny his daughter her favorite treat, despite the exorbitant cost. He wrote, "After a long wait, I finally got Ravif her favorite biscuits today. Even though the price jumped from 1.5 euros to over 24 euros, I just couldn't deny Rafif her favorite treat."
The inflated price of Parle-G is not an isolated incident. A list sourced by NDTV from Gaza reveals that basic commodities and groceries are being sold at extremely high prices. For instance, 1 kg of sugar costs Rs 4,914, 1 liter of cooking oil is priced at Rs 4,177, 1 kg of potatoes costs Rs 1,965, and 1 kg of onions is sold for Rs 4,423. These prices, reflecting the local currency of Israeli shekels, illustrate the immense financial strain on Gazan families.
According to Dr. Khaled Alshawwa, a surgeon based in Gaza City, the high prices are due to the scarcity of goods in the black market. He explained that humanitarian aid often enters Gaza free of charge, but only a minority of people receive it. This scarcity transforms these goods into high-priced items sold on the black market. He managed to get a packet of Parle-G for roughly Rs 240, significantly less than the Rs 2,400 it costs in some places.
Guy Nir, spokesperson of the Israeli embassy in India, commented on the situation, emphasizing the importance of free humanitarian aid directly to the people of Gaza. He claimed that over 80% of products in previous aid attempts were looted by Hamas and resold to Gazans at outrageous prices.
The United Nations (UN) has warned of rising malnutrition and potential famine in Gaza. A report by Reuters, citing UN data, indicated that acute malnutrition among young children has nearly tripled since a ceasefire earlier in the year. An analysis conducted in May by the UN-led "nutrition cluster" found that 5.8% of nearly 50,000 children under five showed signs of acute malnutrition, a significant increase from 4.7% in early May and nearly three times the rate recorded in February.
The crisis has prompted calls for increased humanitarian aid and intervention to address the severe food shortages and economic hardship in Gaza. Mohammed Jawad, the father who bought the expensive Parle-G for his daughter, has also requested donations and financial help for his family, who are battling uncertainty, skyrocketing prices, and food scarcity during the ongoing war.
