In Gaza, Parle-G Now Costs Rs 2,300: Viral Post On Kid's 'Treat' Breaks Hearts
A latest viral post from the war-torn enclave left many Indians shocked after a resident of Gaza, Mohammad Jawad, shared that he bought a packet of Parle-G biscuits for Rs 2,342
In a region ravaged by nearly two years of relentless conflict, daily survival has taken on surreal dimensions. What costs just Rs 5 in India is now a luxury item in Gaza, where a humble packet of Parle-G biscuits is reportedly being sold for over Rs 2,300.
As the war between Israel and Hamas grinds on since its eruption in October 2023, Gaza has increasingly resembled a land under siege, physically and economically. A latest viral post from the war-torn enclave left many Indians shocked after a resident of Gaza, Mohammad Jawad, shared that he bought a packet of Parle-G biscuits for over €24 (Rs 2,342). For comparison, the same packet in Indian markets retails for around Rs 5.
'After a long wait, I finally got Ravif her favorite biscuits today," Jawad wrote on X (formerly Twitter), referencing his daughter. 'Even though the price jumped from €1.5 to over €24, I just couldn't deny Ravif her favorite treat." According to him, the price of the biscuits had already spiked from once Rs 146 to over Rs 2,300.
See the viral post:
After a long wait, I finally got Ravif her favorite biscuits today. Even though the price jumped from €1.5 to over €24, I just couldn't deny Rafif her favorite treat. pic.twitter.com/O1dbfWHVTF — Mohammed jawad 🇵🇸 (@Mo7ammed_jawad6) June 1, 2025
The viral post underscored the scale of Gaza's deepening crisis, where even basic food items have become unaffordable and rare. Between March 2 and May 19 this year, the Palestinian territory saw a near-total blockade, with only a trickle of humanitarian trucks allowed in after sustained international pressure. Aid, when it does arrive, is limited and often insufficient.
But scarcity has spawned another monster, i.e. black marketing. Food boxes sent as aid are reportedly being resold at exorbitant prices. The Parle-G case is not an isolated one. Essential commodities have seen staggering price hikes. One kg of sugar is being sold for nearly Rs 5,000, and potatoes for close to Rs 2,000, rates that would seem absurd even in affluent economies.
According to humanitarian watchdogs, Gaza is now facing famine-like conditions. The United Nations and international relief agencies have repeatedly warned of a catastrophic food shortage in the enclave. Children are the worst affected, with malnutrition rates climbing and access to clean water, medicine, and food shrinking by the day.
First Published:
June 06, 2025, 15:34 IST
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