Her favourite treat: Gaza father pays Rs 2,300 for Parle-G pack for toddler

India Today

06-06-2025

In a heartwarming moment amid the grim backdrop of war, a Palestinian father in Gaza went to extraordinary lengths to make his daughter smile, by buying her a packet of Parle-G biscuits. The brand, a staple snack in India which costs just Rs 5, was bought by the man for Rs 2,300 in war-torn Gaza, according to his post on X. advertisementMohammed Jawad, a Palestinian man living in Gaza, shared a photo and videos of his daughter, Rafif, holding a packet of Parle-G biscuits. According to Jawad, he purchased it for over 24 euros (approximately Rs 2,342). This is a staggering increase from the original price of around Rs 5 in India and over Rs 100 in international markets.
In his post, Jawad explained that he could not deny his daughter her favourite treat, despite the exorbitant cost. In the videos, Rafif is seen holding a Parle-G packet and enjoying a biscuit.
"After a long wait, I finally got Ravif her favourite biscuits today. Even though the price jumped from 1.5 euros (around Rs 147) to over 24 euros, I just couldn't deny Rafif her favourite treat," Jawad's post read.advertisementThis extraordinary price hike highlights the dire economic situation in Gaza, where the ongoing war between Hamas and Israeli forces has led to severe food shortages, with basic necessities ecoming luxury goods.Jawad, in another post, requested donations and financial help as his family battles a triple whammy of uncertainty in a time of war, skyrocketing prices and food scarcity.
"We really appreciate your continued support and donations. It helps us afford what we need in these tough times with prices going up," he said.The Gazans have been staring at an uncertain future since Israel launched a brutal military campaign on Hamas following the surprise attack on October 7, 2023. Amid the fighting, Gaza has become a region of near-total blockade, with only minimal humanitarian aid allowed in - most of it following intense international pressure. Even when aid does arrive, it is limited and often fails to meet urgent needs.The situation has worsened to the point where everyday items have become expensive and rare. This has sparked accusations of aid exploitation, with many questioning how such price inflation is possible in a region heavily reliant on humanitarian aid.advertisementHumanitarian watchdogs have expressed concerns about Gaza being on the brink of famine. The UN and international relief agencies have issued repeated warnings about an escalating food crisis in the besieged Palestinian enclave.According to international relief agencies, the rate of acute malnutrition among young children in Gaza has nearly tripled since a brief period of aid flow earlier this year amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.ABOUT PARLE-GIntroduced in 1938 by Mumbai-based Parle Products during the Swadeshi Movement (a call to replace British-made goods and embrace Indian products), ParleG (originally Parle Gluco) replaced elite British snacks.After independence, Parle-G quickly became a household staple due to its affordability and long shelf life. Often praised as 'the taste of India', the biscuits are synonymous with tea-time snacks.Parle-G's packaging features a young girl (nicknamed 'Parle Girl'), a widely recognisable symbol across India, evoking nostalgia for several generations.Due to its immense popularity, Parle-G is exported to over 20 countries in South Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
IN THIS STORY#Israel#Gaza Strip