GAZA, (PIC)
Obtaining food in Gaza has become almost surreal, with the ongoing hunger crisis in the central and southern regions of the Strip. The Israeli blockade continues to prevent the entry of aid trucks, while thieves and bandits roam freely.
For weeks, both children and adults in Gaza have gone to bed hungry. Securing bread and food has become increasingly difficult amidst relentless starvation and a tight blockade, coupled with ongoing mass killings. For many Gazans, hunger has become the deadliest weapon.
A dire humanitarian crisis
According to reports, a severe humanitarian crisis is sweeping through central and southern Gaza, where nearly two-thirds of the population has been forcibly displaced under the pretense of “safety.” The Israeli blockade continues to prevent aid and goods from entering, while thieves target the few supply trucks that are allowed through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
The situation has been exacerbated by the six-month closure of the Rafah crossing. UN and human rights reports confirm that the basic essentials are missing from Gaza’s markets, such as flour and vegetables, signaling the onset of a real famine.
No flour in Gaza’s markets
The absence of flour, a staple in every Palestinian household, has further darkened the scene. The price of flour has skyrocketed to over $150 per sack, making it unaffordable for most residents. People now wait over six hours in long lines at the few bakeries that remain, just to get a small quantity of bread. These scenes are nothing short of tragic.
The shortage of flour and its exorbitant price is accompanied by a sharp rise in the cost of vegetables and fruits. A kilogram of tomatoes now costs $20, potatoes $30, cucumbers $10, and zucchini $10—a situation Gazans describe as “Parisian prices” but entirely unaffordable under their dire conditions.
$15 for a loaf of bread
Mahmoud Al-Astal, a 55-year-old resident, describes his daily struggle to find bread for his children while living in a tattered tent in Khan Yunis. He expressed disbelief at the $15 price for a single loaf of bread. “We can’t even afford bread. How can we manage anything else? We’re starving, freezing, and being bombarded daily,” he told the PIC.
Al-Astal shared how, for weeks, he has gone to bed hungry to ensure his children get what little food is available. “I can endure hunger, but what about the children? Many nights, they fall asleep starving,” he added, reflecting the plight of thousands in Gaza.
Prohibitively high prices
Another resident, Mahmoud Al-Haddad, recounted a similar struggle. When he went out to buy bread, he found a single loaf priced at over $1.50, forcing him to settle for a few falafel patties. “We ate the falafel without bread and went to bed half-full. This is our daily reality—figuring out what we can eat and how to manage,” he told the PIC. Vegetables like tomatoes have been absent from his family’s diet for four months due to their high prices.
Systematic starvation
Abdel Qader Al-Masoubi, a former taxi driver who lost his home and livelihood in Khan Yunis during the invasion, described to the PIC how he can no longer afford essentials like flour. He accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon after failing to achieve its goals in the ongoing war. UN agencies have frequently accused Israel of employing starvation as a brutal weapon against Gaza’s population by depriving them of life’s necessities.
Rising consumer prices in Gaza
According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, consumer prices in Gaza increased sharply by 19.84% in October compared to September. The spike in the cost of living is attributed to the scarcity of goods due to Israel’s ongoing blockade and targeted attacks on markets and commercial facilities.
For instance, the average price of basic goods like flour, vegetables, and cooking oil has reached unprecedented levels. Olive oil is priced at 71 NIS/kg, tomatoes at 99 NIS/kg, and eggs at 189 NIS/2 kg. Such prices are far beyond the means of most families in Gaza, where unemployment and displacement are rampant.
The impact of border closures
The closure of crossings has deepened the crisis. Only 20 to 30 trucks are allowed into Gaza daily, half of which are stolen by gangs reportedly protected by Israeli forces. As a result, prices have soared due to increased demand and limited supply.
According to Ismail Al-Thawabteh, Director of the Government Media Office, millions of displaced Gazans are now relying on scant aid, often receiving just half a meal every three days. Additionally, 3,500 children under five urgently need baby formula and therapeutic food, which remain unavailable, leading to rising child mortality rates.
A humanitarian collapse
The World Food Program has warned that food supplies in central and southern Gaza are running out, while efforts to deliver humanitarian aid are nearing collapse. The blockade and restrictions have left nearly two million displaced people in desperate need of assistance, with hunger and suffering intensifying every day.
