Gaza food crisis worsens as essential food items prices reach up to $1,000

The ongoing Israeli bombing and siege have led to a massive increase in the prices of essential food items in Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

For 15 days, Israel has banned food and aid entry into northern Gaza, leaving nearly 400,000 people starving, according to UN estimates.

The continuous Israeli attacks and evacuation orders have forced closures of food distribution points, preparation sites, and bakeries, including the World Food Programme's only bakery in northern Gaza.

As a result, 2.1 million people (96 percent of Gaza's population) face severe food shortages, with one in five struggling with hunger.

Al Jazeera reports that most Gazans cannot afford food and rely on charity-provided meals. 

The prices of essential items have skyrocketed:

1. Tomatoes: $180/kg (northern Gaza), $12/kg (southern Gaza)
2. Cucumbers: $150/kg (northern Gaza), $8/kg (southern Gaza)
3. Eggplant: $15/kg (northern Gaza), $5/kg (southern Gaza)
4. Meat: $90/kg (northern Gaza), $41/kg (southern Gaza)
5. Cooking oil: $9 (northern Gaza), $8 (southern Gaza)
6. Water (1 bottle): $2
7. Flour (25kg bag): $1,000 (northern Gaza), $150 (southern Gaza)
8. Sugar: $60/kg (northern Gaza), $28/kg (southern Gaza)
9. Eggs (dozen): $73 (northern Gaza), $32 (southern Gaza)
10. Non-dairy powdered milk: $124/kg (northern Gaza), $20/kg (southern Gaza)
11. Dry milk: $85/kg (northern Gaza), $12/kg (southern Gaza)
12. Infant formula milk: unavailable in northern Gaza, $15/kg in southern Gaza

The price hikes have worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leaving many struggling to access basic necessities.

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas carried out an operation in Israel, killing 1,200 people, including 350 Israeli soldiers, and taking 250 hostages.

In response, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Gaza and initiated a ground operation, which continues to this day.

The ongoing Israeli aggression in Gaza since October 7 has resulted in approximately 42,000 killed, over 98,000 injured, and more than 10,000 people missing.