In the midst of relentless bombings and airstrikes, Gaza’s residents face a crisis more insidious and grueling than the explosions that rock their streets and homes – hunger. Food, scarce and often spoilt, is becoming non-existent in the besieged enclave, leaving people dizzy, weak, and desperate.
Ali, a resident of northern Gaza, embarks on a desperate daily quest for sustenance, braving persistent Israeli bombs and shellings to find food for his family.
“My family, the kids, all of them wait for me to come and say ‘there is food’ or ‘I brought vegetables’,” the Palestinian man tells Middle East Eye. But most days, Ali returns empty-handed and dejected, the weight of his failure heavy on his shoulders.
Such is the situation for countless families across Gaza. “We stopped talking about ‘When will the war be over?’ and started talking about ‘When will the food come in?’” Ali confides, encapsulating the dire shift in priorities for many of Gaza’s residents.
A Daily Struggle for Survival
Ali’s story is not unique. Palestinians across Gaza find themselves in a desperate struggle for basic necessities, their lives governed by the search for food and water. Under the ongoing Israeli siege, the delivery of essential supplies, including life-saving food and medical items, has been severely restricted.
The siege has led to a worsening starvation crisis. Residents prefer not to reveal their true identities when addressing the issue, a reflection of fears over reprisal or retribution in a region where speaking out can bear severe consequences.
A mother of three, who asked to be called Layla, explains her struggle: “I used to worry about my children’s future, their education, their safety. Now, my only concern is finding enough food to keep them alive until the next day.”
The increased difficulty in accessing food is compounded by the fear and havoc wreaked by incessant airstrikes. Stores remain mostly empty and prices for available goods have skyrocketed, putting basic food items out of reach for many families already living in poverty.
The blockade, initiated in 2007, has continually strangled Gaza’s economy, but the recent intensification of hostilities has exacerbated an already critical situation. Humanitarian aid agencies have repeatedly called for the lifting of the blockade to allow the flow of essential supplies but to no avail.
Mahmoud, a shopkeeper in central Gaza, describes the heartbreaking choices he faces regularly: “I look into the eyes of mothers, fathers, children – all looking for food they can’t afford. It’s agony to turn them away empty-handed.”
Further complicating the situation is the spoilt or expired food that sometimes makes it to the shelves. Without proper refrigeration, food items that do arrive in Gaza often spoil quickly, rendering them dangerous if consumed.
Humanitarian Response and Challenges
International humanitarian organizations have struggled to alleviate the crisis. Aid convoys are frequently delayed or denied entry, and those that do make it through often have their supplies confiscated or severely reduced.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has reported dire shortages, with their supplies insufficient to meet the growing needs. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, recently stressed the gravity of the situation in a press briefing: “The blockade is not just a political tool; it’s a humanitarian catastrophe in the making. The people of Gaza are being starved.”
Local initiatives, often operating under dangerous conditions, continue their efforts to provide relief. Community kitchens have been set up in some areas of Gaza, where volunteers cook and distribute whatever food they can find, but these efforts are a drop in the ocean compared to the vast need.
Prominent human rights organizations have echoed calls for international intervention. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and others stress the need for urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They urge both Israel and Egypt to open border crossings for humanitarian supplies and for the international community to pressure the cessation of hostilities and the lifting of the blockade.
Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, a Palestinian legislator and scholar, made an impassioned plea: “Gaza’s people are not just dying from bombs and bullets – they’re dying from hunger, from deprivation. This siege is a medieval tactic, unfit for modern times, and it must end.”
In the face of despair, the resilience of Gaza’s residents shines through. Ali, despite the relentless challenges, vows to continue his daily search for food. The community’s collective spirit remains unbroken, even as they face one of the darkest chapters in their history.
“We will endure,” says Layla, her voice steady with determination. “We have no other choice. We will endure for our children, for our future. We will endure.”
As the world looks on, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis serves as a stark reminder of the enduring plight of its people. It underscores the urgent need for international solidarity, action, and a renewed commitment to human dignity and justice.
