The Gaza Strip is currently facing a dire humanitarian crisis, marked by an acute famine stemming from the aftermath of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war. The widespread scarcity of essential supplies and the destruction of food infrastructure by Israeli airstrikes have left the population grappling with hunger and desperation.
Hanadi Gamal Saed El Jamara, a 38-year-old mother of seven, shares her heart-wrenching struggle as she navigates the mud-caked streets of Rafah in southern Gaza, begging for food to feed her family. Her children, weakened by aching hunger, experience health issues such as diarrhea and lethargy. El Jamara's husband, a cancer and diabetes patient, further compounds the challenges the family faces.
Displaced civilians and health workers in Gaza reveal to CNN the grim reality of going hungry themselves to ensure their children have access to the limited available food. The destruction of vital food supplies and infrastructure, coupled with a longstanding partial blockade, has pushed the entire population of around 2.2 million into high levels of acute food insecurity.
The Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Phase Classification (IPC) warns of an imminent full-scale famine, with the majority of 400,000 Gazans at risk of starving. UN human rights experts have raised concerns, stating that Israel is using food as a weapon against the Palestinian people, destroying Gaza's food system.
As the conflict continues, Palestinians in Gaza endure mass displacement, disease outbreaks, and a crumbling medical system. The scarcity of clean water exacerbates the crisis, with reports of undrinkable water when available. Children forced into the streets fight over stale bread, and families embark on hours-long journeys in search of food, risking exposure to further Israeli strikes.
The devastating impact extends beyond immediate hunger, affecting the health of children and pregnant women. Malnourished children face an 11-fold increased risk of death, while cases of diarrhea in children under five have surged by 2,000% since October 7. Pregnant women are at an increased risk of miscarriage or premature birth, further endangering the survival of newborns.
The challenges to distributing aid compound the crisis, with poorly regulated humanitarian efforts leading to unequal distribution. Some civilians receive no aid, while others sell the assistance they receive for profit. Intensified strikes contribute to soaring prices, making essential items even more inaccessible.
The dire situation in Gaza calls for urgent international attention and humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the population facing starvation, dehydration, and the long-term consequences of malnutrition. The international community must work towards a sustainable solution to bring an end to the conflict and ensure the well-being of the people in the region
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