Parle-G biscuits are a staple—synonymous with childhood memories, affordable tea breaks, and everyday sustenance. But in Gaza, where a humanitarian crisis has intensified into a full-scale famine, the same biscuit has transformed into a rare luxury item. A viral post from the besieged region claims that Parle-G is being sold for over 24 euros (approx. ₹2,342), shocking Indian social media users familiar with its humble ₹5 price tag.
The post, shared by a resident who finally managed to buy the biscuit for his daughter, Rafif, highlighted the desperation and emotional weight food now carries in Gaza. “Even though the price jumped from 1.5 euros to over 24 euros, I just couldn’t deny Rafif her favorite treat,” it read.
Manufactured Famine and Humanitarian Crisis
The root of this bizarre pricing lies in the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. Following the October 2023 conflict escalation and Israel’s subsequent military campaign, Gaza was subjected to a near-total blockade between March 2 and May 19, 2025. Humanitarian aid was only allowed in under immense international pressure, with traditional UN food deliveries halted amid Israeli allegations that Hamas was weaponizing the aid.
In their place, a new system—Secure Distribution Site 1 (SDS1)—was launched on May 27 by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, reportedly with support from the U.S., Israel, and Switzerland. Tthe SDS1 uses caged corridors and tight security manned by a U.S.-based private firm, Safe Reach Solutions, accused of intelligence operations in the region.
FCRF x CERT-In Roll Out National Cyber Crisis Management Course to Prepare India’s Digital Defenders
However, the effectiveness and fairness of SDS1 remain questionable. While official figures remain unclear, multiple eyewitnesses and experts suggest that aid is either insufficient or diverted, ending up in black markets rather than with those in need.
Dr. Khaled Alshawwa, a surgeon in Gaza City, said: “The goods usually come in as aid, free of charge, but scarcity ensures only a few receive them. The rest? They’re sold at sky-high prices.” Dr. Alshawwa said he bought Parle-G at around ₹240—far lower than the ₹2,300 cited in the viral post, but still dozens of times the original price.
Black Market Reality and the Symbolism of Parle-G
The economic conditions in Gaza have made even basic food items nearly inaccessible for most of the population. A sourced a list of current grocery prices in northern Gaza as of June 6, 2025, and the numbers are staggering:
- 1 kg sugar: ₹4,914
- 1 litre cooking oil: ₹4,177
- 1 kg onions: ₹4,423
- 1 coffee cup: ₹1,800
These prices, converted from the New Israeli Shekel, reflect an unprecedented inflation crisis driven by border closures, minimal aid access, and conflict-driven hoarding.
Parle-G, a biscuit launched in 1938 during India’s Swadeshi movement, was designed as an affordable, indigenous alternative to British snacks. It became the food of the masses—affordable, accessible, and reliable. Even with inflation, it managed to retain its reputation by shrinking the weight of its packs while keeping prices low.
Its sudden elevation to a rare, expensive item in Gaza underscores the devastating human toll of restricted humanitarian access. What was once a comfort snack is now a currency of desperation.
A Global Call to Action
Parle-G’s presence in Gaza likely stems from international aid shipments, not direct exports. The biscuits, labeled “EXPORT PACK,” don’t carry pricing—enabling them to be resold at any rate vendors choose, depending on scarcity, location, and demand.
The episode serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly everyday essentials can turn into unattainable luxuries in times of conflict. It also calls attention to the inefficiencies and ethical concerns surrounding humanitarian aid distribution in conflict zones.
As the world watches, a ₹5 Indian biscuit has become both a symbol of survival and a damning indictment of the global response to the Gaza humanitarian crisis.