Israel has imposed a 60-day-long food blockade on Gaza, causing Palestinians to face difficulty in providing food for their families.
Gazan Residents Grapple with Escalating Food Crisis
KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA STRIP - Over the past two months, the Gaza Strip has witnessed a severeshortage of basic necessities, including food, medicine, and fuel, due to Israel's ongoing blockade. Aid organizations have reported a critical shortage of food supplies, leaving markets sparse and many families struggling to feed their children.
Mariam al-Najjar, residing in a tent camp near Khan Younis, exemplifies the struggles faced by Palestinians. On a recent Friday, she and her mother-in-law prepared a meager meal of canned peas and rice, which would serve as the sole meal for their extended family of eleven, including six children.
Traditionally, Fridays are significant for large family feasts, but the al-Najjar family finds themselves eating canned peas and rice instead of the rich dishes they once enjoyed. Mariam lamented, "We never ate canned peas before the war. Only in this war that has destroyed our lives."
With meat, milk, cheese, and fruit scarcely available, Gazans are primarily subsisting on canned vegetables, rice, pasta, and lentils. The absence of protein-rich foods and fresh produce is a growing concern for families like the al-Najjars.
Israel imposed the blockade on March 2, ending a two-month truce and resuming military operations on March 18. The measures aim to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages; however, human rights groups accuse Israel of employing a "starvation tactic" that endangers the entire population, potentially constituting a war crime.
As food items disappear, the al-Najjar family has resorted to canned sardines and U.N.-provided milk; they can no longer afford tomatoes for their children's salads. Now they rely on cans of beans or peas and carrots for sustenance. When supplies run low, they seek relief from charity kitchens offering lentils and pasta.
Dr. Ayman Abu Teir, the head of the Therapeutic Feeding department at Khan Younis' Nasser Hospital, warns of the long-term health implications of the children's dietary deficiencies. He notes a significant increase in malnutrition cases, with children needing a well-balanced diet for healthy development. According to Abu Teir, a 1-year-old child requires about 700 calories a day, but the four cans of peas and carrots in the al-Najjars' meal totaled roughly 1,000 calories when split among eleven people—an insufficient quantity.
Israel maintains that Gaza currently has an adequate supply of aid, and accuses Hamas of diverting aid for its purposes. Humanitarian workers contest this claim, stating that the U.N. meticulously monitors distribution.
The market landscape reflects the food crisis, with empty stalls and skyrocketing prices for the few available items. Resident Khalil al-Faqawi yearns for a simple tomato, noting the impact of the crisis on his ability to provide for his nine family members. As the available supplies wane, many are left wondering what they will eat once the remaining food stocks are depleted.
Doctors anticipate that the lack of access to a balanced diet will cause long-term damage to children's health. The World Food Programme warns that unabated famine is imminent if the situation persists, urging the international community to intervene promptly to prevent further tragedy.
[1] UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Humanitarian Bulletin[2] UNICEF - Gaza: Lack of food, water, sanitation threaten children's lives[3] World Food Programme - Gaza: Escalating food crisis approaching catastrophic levels[4] Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) - Emergency Report - Gaza Strip, May-September 2025
- The media outlets worldwide are reporting an escalating health crisis in the Gaza Strip, where food, medicine, and fuel shortages have become critical due to Israel's ongoing blockade.
- The growing concern for Gazan residents isn't just limited to politics and war-and-conflicts; it extends to health-and-wellness, food-and-drink, and lifestyle, as families struggle to maintain a balanced nutrition and fitness-and-exercise regimen.
- General-news sources indicate that the lack of access to protein-rich foods, fresh produce, and other basic necessities has led to a surge in malnutrition cases, particularly among children, according to health experts.
- The crisis has compelled Gazans like the al-Najjar family to resort to subsisting on canned vegetables, rice, pasta, and lentils, a significant change from their previous diets.
- The media coverage also highlights the increased prices for the scarce food items in the markets, with families like the al-Faqawis left yearning for basics like a simple tomato.
- Human rights groups accuse Israel of employing a "starvation tactic" that may constitute a war crime, while aid organizations and humanitarian workers call upon the international community to intervene promptly to avert a looming humanitarian disaster.
