Israel on frantic egg hunt ahead of Easter and Passover

As Jews in Israel prepare for Passover and the country's Christian minority looks ahead to Easter, people are locked into a frantic egg-hunt forced by a nationwide shortage.

Demand for eggs always peaks ahead of the eight-day Passover holiday that opens on Wednesday, especially since many other key foods -- including pasta, bread and pastries -- are prohibited.

Israel, which has more than 8,500 confirmed coronavirus cases, has largely avoided the panic shopping that has affected other countries during the pandemic. But in recent days, supermarket attendants have scoffed at people seeking a mere dozen eggs.

At one such outlet in the southern part of west Jerusalem, shoppers in a 40 minute queue at the entrance had only one question for those on their way out: