Food prices soar after Israel halts aid deliveries into Gaza

Food prices surged after Israel reimposed a full blockade on the Gaza Strip on March 2, plunging the region into a dire food crisis.

Now, all humanitarian aid has been barred from entering the enclave.

The World Food Program has reported that food prices in Gaza have surged by 1,400 percent this year.

Even the most basic vegetables have become unaffordable for ordinary families, as residents are starving on a scale beyond imagination.

Amid the rubble in western Gaza City, a makeshift market has formed.

Yet vegetables, once a common sight, are now sold by only a few vendors.

"One potato costs five shekels (about 1.38 U.S. dollars), sometimes even more. The same goes for cucumbers and tomatoes. Prices are skyrocketing as the border crossings are closed and supplies can't get in," said Mohammad Yazji, a vegetable vendor at the market.

Yazji sets up his stall early each day, but receives few customers.

For him, these expensive vegetables aren't food. They're the only hope of making enough money to feed his family.

According to a report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Gaza's agricultural system has almost collapsed, with nearly 70 percent of farmland destroyed, over 70 percent of fruit trees burned, 95 percent of cattle and at least half of the sheep dead, and farming infrastructure severely damaged.

Local food production has plummeted, leaving residents heavily dependent on imported food - an option no longer viable under the continuing blockade.

As a result, the local pricing system has completely broken down.

"Prices keep rising. There's no flour, no food to live on. The price of flour has become exorbitant. A bag of flour (30 kilograms) costs 500 to 600 U.S. dollars now. People have no cash. They can't afford any food. The only way out is to end the war on Gaza. It has inflicted too much pain on too many people," said Yazji.

Food prices soar after Israel halts aid deliveries into Gaza

Food prices soar after Israel halts aid deliveries into Gaza

Food prices soar after Israel halts aid deliveries into Gaza

Food prices soar after Israel halts aid deliveries into Gaza

Food prices soar after Israel halts aid deliveries into Gaza

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Saturday China is willing to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and advance the China-Lesotho strategic partnership.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with Lesotho Prime Minister Sam Matekane in the capital of Lesotho.

During the meeting, Wang congratulated Lesotho on the 60th anniversary of its independence this year, and spoke highly of Lesotho government's efforts to prioritize economic development and steer the African country onto a path of sustainable growth. Since the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2024, the two sides have advanced cooperation under the 10 partnership action plans unveiled at the summit, successfully implementing a number of key projects to effectively promote Lesotho's development and revitalization, Wang said.

China stands ready to work with Lesotho to strengthen exchanges on governance experience, enhance coordination in multilateral affairs, and push for greater development of the China-Lesotho strategic partnership, he added.

Calling on the two sides to firmly support each other, Wang said that China will accelerate the implementation of its zero-tariff policy for African countries, including Lesotho, expand bilateral trade, investment and industrial cooperation, facilitate broader access of Lesotho's specialty products to the Chinese market, and continue to support Lesotho's national development.

China will continue to stand firmly with African countries, uphold justice for the Global South, including Lesotho, oppose unilateralism and acts of bullying, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity, Wang said.

On his part, Matekane said during the meeting that Lesotho cherishes its friendship with China and the strategic partnership between the two countries, and expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for the development of African countries, including Lesotho.

Lesotho firmly adheres to the one-China principle and resolutely supports China in safeguarding its core interests, he said, noting that his country stands ready to strengthen strategic mutual trust with China, expand people-to-people exchanges, jointly implement the outcomes of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, and deepen cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, manufacturing and energy.

Matekane stressed that China's zero-tariff policy for African products will inject new impetus into Lesotho's development. He also expressed Lesotho's willingness to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with China on multilateral platforms such as BRICS to jointly address global challenges.

On the same day, Wang also held talks with Lejone Mpotjoana, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho.

China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation

China, Lesotho to strengthen exchanges, advance cooperation