Despite persistent claims of goods shortages and price rises in Gaza, the prices of some goods have been astoundingly low, including that of a PlayStation 5 (PS5), according to video obtained by French journalist Jonathan Serero on Sunday.
ISRAEL EN GUERRE: Avez vous un peuple victime d'un génocide qui a les moyens de vendre ou d'acheter des Playstation 5? Évidemment que non.Les étalages des magasins de Gaza sont bondés de vivres, de nourritures et de la célèbre console de jeux de Sony dernière génération. pic.twitter.com/ZeBJkGmAHq
— Jonathan Serero (@sererojonathan) September 15, 2024
The video shows the PS5 game console, fresh fruits, soaps, perfumes, sweets, snacks, soft drinks, and more in the market in the center of Gaza.
The same resident was heard saying, "In Gaza, during the war, you can get everything at the stalls." The resident enthusiastically said that the console cost him only 700 shekels; the current retail price on the Sony website is $499.99.
The video caused shock and anger among several prominent right-wing Israeli commentators, with many calling this proof that Netanyahu was going too easy on Gaza.
PlayStation price surge
When the PS5 was first released in 2020, there was a massive shortage of consoles, leading to the price spiking to over twice or thrice the retail price, with one person telling Metro they spent £900 on theirs, while the Guardian reported that some paid nearly £1200.
Although prices stabilized as the release rolled out worldwide, prices were often above retail for a few months.
When the PS5 was approved for import to Gaza, it was sold at a premium of between £765-£860 by Israeli wholesalers to Gazan merchants, according to the Guardian.
Imports continued to be fed mostly by gaming cafes, which charge people to play their consols.