The closure of crossings to the Gaza Strip, displacement of thousands, and bombing of bakeries have exacerbated the food crisis in the region. Samar Rabie, a resident of Khan Younis, is struggling to feed the 15 people living with her, including her husband’s displaced friends and their families from Gaza City. Basic food items like bread, sugar, legumes, and dairy products are scarce, with empty shelves in stores. The price of food has tripled since the war began, adding to the difficulties faced by families like Rabie’s.
Mahmoud Sharab, another resident of Khan Younis, acknowledges the increasing prices but blames the constant Israeli bombing for the destruction of farms and the inability of grocers to provide vegetables. He searches daily for food in shops and markets, hoping to find canned food and grains. However, supplies are scarce, and he often relies on others for extra food items. Sharab describes Israel’s actions as a “war of starvation” that is terrifying many, including children. Bombing of bakeries has resulted in long queues lasting six or seven hours for a bag of bread.
The United Nations reports that no bakery in the northern Gaza Strip has been operational since November 7 due to fuel, water, and wheat flour shortages, as well as structural damage. Eleven bakeries have been completely destroyed, while others lack the necessary resources to operate. The scarcity of food has led to negative coping mechanisms, such as skipping meals and resorting to unconventional eating, like raw onion and uncooked eggplant combinations.
Since October 7, when Israel imposed a total siege on the Gaza Strip, aid convoys have been limited, providing only a fraction of what the 2.3 million people in the territory need. Only 1,187 aid trucks have entered Gaza since October 21, compared to an average of 500 trucks per day before the war. Although a limited amount of fuel was allowed in on Wednesday, it can only be used for aid distribution, leaving hospitals and water facilities without power.
Access to the north has been severely restricted, making it impossible to deliver aid to those in need. Food supplies are primarily distributed to displaced people and host families in the southern Gaza Strip, with flour provided for bakeries. However, transportation of food to Gaza City and the northern areas is prohibited by Israel. The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor claims that Israel has escalated a “war of starvation” against civilians in Gaza, with devastating effects on children’s health. The destruction of electrical generators, solar energy units, agricultural areas, and supply centers for relief organizations has further exacerbated the crisis.
The displaced Palestinians, seeking shelter in UN-run schools and hospitals, depend on humanitarian aid from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). However, with empty shelves in shops and the approaching winter, staying warm has become an additional challenge for families. Maysara Saad, a displaced resident, emphasizes the desperation faced by the townspeople, who often rely on leftover aid. The Israeli actions have left Palestinians feeling that their lives are under constant threat, whether from bombings or from the deprivation of basic necessities like food, water, and warmth.
In conclusion, the Gaza Strip is facing a severe food crisis as a result of the ongoing Israeli war and blockade. The destruction of infrastructure, including bakeries and agricultural areas, coupled with limited access to aid and supplies, has left thousands of Palestinians struggling to feed their families. The international community must prioritize addressing this humanitarian crisis and hold accountable those responsible for exacerbating the suffering of innocent civilians.
