The monthly report issued by the Central Bureau of Statistics on Thursday shows a sharp increase in the rates of inflation and the cost of living in the Gaza Strip during the month of July.
Fresh vegetable prices in the Gaza Strip have increased by 50.86%. Aubergines have registered a 318.56% price increase; courgette prices have grown by 300.76%, the price of green chillies increased by 111.77%, and tomatoes have registered 81.29% higher prices.
The conflict has additionally already led to the destruction of about 70% of the cultivated areas, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture in Gaza last week.
With the closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing (the only commercial crossing between the West Bank and Gaza Strip), some of the goods have started disappearing from the local market and there is scarcity of others, prompting prices to rise due to increased demand.
When comparing prices during the month of July 2014 with the month of July 2013, the data indicate average consumer prices to have increased by 2.24%; by 5.04% in the Gaza Strip, 3.91% in Jerusalem, and by 1.07% in the West Bank.
Taking into account the data for the first seven months of 2014, consumer prices have recorded an increase of 1.79% compared with the same period of 2013, with increases of 4.62% in Jerusalem, 2.10% in the West Bank, and 1.96% in the Gaza Strip.
