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Sugar Rs 5,000, Oil Rs 4,000: Gazans Blame Israel, They Say It's Hamas

Sugar Rs 5,000, Oil Rs 4,000: Gazans Blame Israel, They Say It's Hamas

NDTV07-06-2025
New Delhi:
On the morning of Eid al-Adha, prayers across the Gaza Strip were conducted not in mosques, but in the rubble of what used to be homes, schools, and religious institutions. A ceasefire is not in sight, and neither is a meal. The traditions that usually mark this holiday, sacrificial meat, communal feasts, and gifts for children, are unrecognisable now. Instead, a singular item dominates conversations: food, or the lack of it.
A recent viral post from Gaza featuring the biscuit, Parle-G, claimed that they are being sold at over 24 euros, which is approximately Rs 2,400. Like the biscuits, most goods sold in Gaza's markets have become unaffordable to nearly everyone.
A list obtained by NDTV from inside Gaza documents the going rates for basic staples. Converted into Indian rupees (1 new Israeli shekel = Rs 24.57), it reads like this:
1 litre of cooking oil: 170 shekel (approx. Rs 4,177)
1 kilogram of sugar: 200 shekel (approx. Rs 4,914)
1 kilogram of milk powder: 35 shekel (approx. Rs 860)
1 kilogram of flour: 60 shekel (approx. Rs 1,474)
1 kilogram of salt: 20 shekel (approx. Rs 491)
1 kilogram of okra: 45 shekel (approx. Rs 1,106)
1 kilogram of duck meat: 30 shekel (approx. Rs 737)
1 kilogram of tomatoes: 45 shekel (approx. Rs 1,106)
1 kilogram of onions: 180 shekel (approx. Rs 4,423)
1 kilogram of potatoes: 80 shekel (approx. Rs 1,966)
1 kilogram of brinjal: 35 shekel (approx. Rs 860)
1 kilogram of lemon: 60 shekel (approx. Rs 1,474)
1 kilogram of lentils: 35 shekel (approx. Rs 860)
1 cup of coffee: 180 shekel (approx. Rs 4,423)
1 box of goat meat: 200 shekel (approx. Rs 4,914)
Prices like these are unthinkable in a territory where virtually no one has an income.
Israel Say It's Hamas
Israel insists Hamas is hijacking aid. Speaking exclusively with NDTV, Israeli embassy spokesperson Guy Nir said, "There are masked gunmen who are Hamas, who are shooting at the Gazans because Hamas doesn't want this operation to succeed. The thing is, for the first year and a half, most of the aid trucks that went into Gaza were looted. Hamas looted about 80 per cent of all trucks."
According to Mr Nir, Hamas is selling the contents to civilians at inflated prices. This system, he claims, allowed Hamas to exert economic and political control over the population.
In northern Gaza, Israel issued a warning on Friday that it would launch "intensive operations" in areas from which rockets had reportedly been fired. The military said four of its soldiers died earlier in Khan Younis when explosives collapsed a Hamas compound. Five others were injured.
The UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) now projects that by September, nearly 500,000 people in Gaza will be experiencing "catastrophic food insecurity", the highest level of hunger categorisation before famine.
"The amount of humanitarian aid that came into Gaza during the first year and a half was astronomical," Mr Nir said. "We delivered over 3,500 calories per person per day. If everybody ate everything we brought in, they would be fat.
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The dark side of flying: fear of grounding deters pilots from seeking help for mental health concerns
The dark side of flying: fear of grounding deters pilots from seeking help for mental health concerns

The Hindu

time8 minutes ago

  • The Hindu

The dark side of flying: fear of grounding deters pilots from seeking help for mental health concerns

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Rainfall triggers serpent infiltration, 85 rescued so far this month
Rainfall triggers serpent infiltration, 85 rescued so far this month

Hindustan Times

timean hour ago

  • Hindustan Times

Rainfall triggers serpent infiltration, 85 rescued so far this month

Gurugram: Gurugram has logged a surge in snake sightings this monsoon, with 85 snakes rescued across the city so far in July, wildlife officials said on Thursday. With a week still left for the month to get over, this is the highest number of snake rescues reported in a single month this year, they added. Gurugram has logged a surge in snake sightings this monsoon, with 85 snakes rescued across the city so far in July. (HT PHOTO.) The spike, according to wildlife experts, is linked to heavy rainfall and unplanned construction, which is driving snakes out of their natural habitats into homes, residential sectors and even government institutions. Anil Gandas, a city-based wildlife rescuer who has conducted thousands of rescues since 2011, said this has been his most intense month in recent years. 'The majority of the calls are from the Dwarka Expressway stretch, especially sectors 107, 108, 84, 112, 110A, 99A, 101, 102, and 106. These areas were once agricultural land but are now under heavy construction. I have already rescued 85 snakes this month and expect the numbers to rise further till October.' According to Gandas, snake rescue numbers this year have risen steadily: 13 in January, 8 in February, 7 in March, 16 in April, 29 in May, 38 in June, and 85 so far in July. The trend, he warned, is expected to continue till the end of the monsoon season. Snake rescues have also been reported from government institutions. At the Government Senior Secondary School in Dhankot, a common kukri and an Indian rock python were safely removed earlier this month. In one particularly striking rescue at Surya Vihar in Dhanwapur village, 13 kraits—including 11 hatchlings and two adults—were found inside a dried-up water tank in a house, he said. 'This was a rare and risky case. The presence of a snake family inside a home could have turned dangerous had it not been reported in time,' he added. In another case, Deepak Ahlawat, a resident of Sector 109, had a scary experience when a common krait, one of India's most venomous snakes, was found curled up inside his kitchen cabinet. 'It was late evening, and I had just walked into the kitchen when I noticed something moving. I froze. It was a snake—just inches from where I keep my utensils. I immediately called for help,' he said. 'Had I not seen it in time, it could have been fatal. It was a narrow escape.' In Daulatabad, Kavita Sharma found a snake inside her bedroom, hidden near the bed. 'I was about to lie down when I saw a movement from the corner of my eye. When I turned on the light, I couldn't believe what I saw—a snake right next to the bed. I screamed and rushed out,' she said. 'We always hear about these incidents, but when it happens in your own home, it's terrifying.' Among the species rescued this month are spectacled cobras, common kraits, Indian rock pythons, rat snakes, Indian sand boas, red sand boas, wolf snakes, and common kukri snakes. Forest officials have confirmed that over 100 snakes have been rescued from the Dwarka Expressway zone alone this year and have been released into the Aravalli Forest. Divisional forest officer (DFO) Ram Kumar Jangra said a coordinated response mechanism is in place. 'We have created a network of volunteers, officials, and NGOs who respond to alerts. Anil Gandas leads most rescue operations and is familiar with all the vulnerable areas. Our team's contact numbers are available with residents, and we are on standby,' he said. Last year, Gandas carried out more than 1,200 snake rescues in Gurugram. This year, if the current pace continues, that record may be broken. Officials have urged residents to avoid handling or provoking snakes and to immediately contact professional rescuers in case of a sighting. Wildlife experts say the spike is a clear signal of ecological imbalance and a need for better habitat planning in developing areas. Gurugram residents have been advised to seal water tanks, inspect storage areas, and call professionals in case of sightings instead of attempting to remove the reptiles themselves.

Same Flight But Different Meals? Man Exposes Class Divide Onboard Dubai Flight
Same Flight But Different Meals? Man Exposes Class Divide Onboard Dubai Flight

News18

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  • News18

Same Flight But Different Meals? Man Exposes Class Divide Onboard Dubai Flight

Last Updated: After the flight took off, the woman fell asleep, only to be woken by the sound of 'Chicken or beef?' as the cabin crew began serving a simple meal basket. Sometimes, even a small moment can remain with you for a longer period of time and that's exactly what happened to a Doha-based makeup artist on a short flight from Dubai. In a post on Thread, the woman recounted her in-flight experience to highlight the quiet injustices faced by migrant labourers, reflecting on the need for greater empathy. According to the woman, she had a window seat and the middle was empty, whereas on the aisle seat sat an Indian man, likely a labourer. After the flight took off, the woman fell asleep, only to be woken by the sound of 'Chicken or beef?" as the cabin crew began serving a simple meal basket — sandwich, a chocolate bar and water. While she was handed the meal, the man beside her was offered only a sealed plastic cup of water without any explanation. 'When they reached our row, they handed me the meal basket. The man next to me looked up, quietly waiting for his," she wrote, adding, 'One of the flight attendants simply shook his head and said: 'Ah, no,' handed him a sealed plastic cup of water, and moved on. That's it." The man looked up with an expectation. Then back down, silently. 'His eyes were full of something I can't forget," the woman recounted. The man didn't protest and simply accepted what happened with him followed by a quiet struggle to open his water cup. Turning to the woman, he asked for help and then reached into his bag to pull out a single mango and a few grapes. Kind hearted, he also offered the woman the fruits he had. 'I thanked him but didn't take them, maybe that was all he had to eat later," the woman wrote. The woman concluded her post with a heartfelt reminder, 'We have to do better. We must be kinder. Next time you see a labour worker outside in the heat, offer a bottle of water, a snack, or even just kindness." Addressing the airline, she added, 'Offering a small sandwich and a KitKat to every passenger wouldn't hurt your budget, but it could mean the world to someone who needs it most." The post has struck a deep chord across social media, with many expressing disappointment and reflecting on the need for empathy towards migrant labourers. One person wrote, 'Very sad. Yes, definitely the UAE government must take care of these people more and give this kind of stuff for free, it doesn't cost anything at all." top videos View all Someone else lauded the man's silent kindness saying, 'What a beautiful gesture. When they know, you know. Wishing him a wonderful life." The incident is an emotional reminder of the everyday inequalities many tend to overlook. view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: July 25, 2025, 07:00 IST News viral Same Flight But Different Meals? Man Exposes Class Divide Onboard Dubai Flight Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

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