Antoine Renard, the World Food Programme’s (WFP) Palestine representative, says prices have surged in Gaza since Israel’s active assault on the besieged enclave resumed, Al Jazeera reports.

Israel has again sealed vital border crossings, halting the entry of much-needed humanitarian aid and fuel for more than three weeks now.

“A pack of wheat flour is now 200 shekels ($54), it used to be 50 ($13.60) when we were … in the ceasefire,” Renard told Al Jazeera from Deir el-Balah, adding that there is no more cooking gas, which has forced some bakeries to shut down.

There is also “more demand and more pressure” on the different bakeries that are still up and running, Renard added. Those bakeries that have some flour stock will only be able to last for another week, he said. After that, operations will have to end.

He called for the opening of Gaza’s border crossings, saying more than 90 per cent of the population is currently relying on assistance.