Khan Younis, Gaza Strip - January 18, 2025 Prices in the Gaza Strip have significantly dropped days before the ceasefire takes effect on Sunday morning, leading to an increase in people's willingness to make purchases and creating a lively atmosphere in many local markets unseen for a long time. In recent days, a market in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis has welcomed back the long-lost bustling crowds, a sight that had been rare for the past couple of months. Due to the prolonged conflict and limited food aid entering Gaza, local prices have remained high. For instance, the price of a 25-kilogram bag of flour has surpassed 120 U.S. dollars. Consequently, residents in Gaza seldom went shopping due to the elevated prices. "Not long ago, the price of tomatoes was around 60 to 70 new shekels per kilogram (around 17 to 20 U.S. dollars). During that period, I couldn't even afford to buy a single tomato for my son. Now, I am able to afford them," said Yusuf Mishal, a resident in Khan Younis. "The prices of everything are decreasing. The prices of fruits and vegetables have dropped. The price of meat per kilogram was originally 140 new shekels (around 39 U.S. dollars), but now it is 60 new shekels (about 17 U.S. dollars). As merchants, we now have goods in stock, and the prices have decreased," said Yasser Harbeed, a local merchant. Harbeed said many previously scarce goods have reemerged in the market. The signs of improvement in the situation in Gaza have prompted numerous merchants to begin selling off their hoarded goods, which has also been a significant factor contributing to the decrease in prices. Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire-for-hostage release deal following intensive mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, the Qatar's Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday. SHOTLIST: Khan Younis, Gaza Strip - Jan 18, 2025 1. Various of residents, merchants at market; 2. Various of merchant selling tomatoes; residents selecting tomatoes; 3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Yusuf Mishal, resident: "Not long ago, the price of tomatoes was around 60 to 70 new shekels per kilogram (around 17 to 20 U.S. dollars). During that period, I couldn't even afford to buy a single tomato for my son. Now, I am able to afford them."; 4. Various of merchants at meat stall; 5. Various of merchant Yasser Harbeed selling goods; 6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Yasser Harbeed, merchant (ending with shot 7): "The prices of everything are decreasing. The prices of fruits and vegetables have dropped. The price of meat per kilogram was originally 140 new shekels (around 39 U.S. dollars), but now it is 60 new shekels (about 17 U.S. dollars). As merchants, we now have goods in stock, and the prices have decreased."; 7. Meat; 8. Various of merchants, residents, boxes of milk powder; 9. Various of merchants, residents at market. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]