In Gaza, the humanitarian crisis deepens as the Israeli blockade, now in its third month, devastates food supplies. Asmaa Fayez struggles to feed her hospitalized 4-year-old son, Ali al-Dbary, who has been suffering from severe cramps due to malnutrition linked to a diet of mostly canned goods. Fayez splurged on zucchinis, costing around $10 per kilogram, a drastic increase from pre-war prices. With hospitals unable to provide food, families are resorting to bringing whatever they can, leading to significant weight loss among patients. Dr. Khaled Alserr reports that patients lack nutritional support, and rising malnutrition rates amongst both children and adults, especially pregnant women, highlight the dire situation.
Food markets are largely empty, with prices surging, while local agricultural production has dropped dramatically due to military actions damaging farmlands. Meanwhile, aid organizations have halted food distribution, and charity kitchens—the last lifeline for many—are closing due to shortages.
The blockade was reinforced after Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, igniting a military campaign resulting in over 52,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly of women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Critics label the blockade a “starvation tactic” and a potential war crime.
Israel’s proposed plans to manage aid distribution through private contractors, rejected by the U.N. and aid groups, could further restrict access to essential supplies for the besieged population. Patients like 19-year-old Asmaa Faraj, only provided small amounts of dates and water, and 30-year-old Sobhi al-Bursh, dependent on limited canned goods, illustrate the overwhelming challenges faced by families trying to care for their loved ones in this crisis.
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