Gaza Faces Exorbitant Food Prices Amidst Israeli Restrictions and Aid Shortfalls
Gaza is experiencing a severe economic crisis where basic food items, such as eggs, have become a luxury due to Israeli import restrictions, high coordination fees, and the destruction of local agriculture. The price of eggs has doubled to quadrupled compared to pre-war levels, making them unaffordable for most of Gaza's 2.2 million Palestinians, who largely depend on international aid. The World Food Programme (WFP) has reduced the number of people receiving food aid by 500,000 due to funding shortfalls, further exacerbating the situation. Israeli authorities attribute high prices to Hamas taxes, while Palestinian traders blame Israeli restrictions and fees charged by intermediaries in a tightly controlled import system. This system has also led to the flourishing of cross-border smuggling networks, further inflating prices.
