Asmaa Fayez recently bought zucchinis in Gaza, struggling to provide nutrition for her hospitalized 4-year-old son, Ali, whose only meal was the soup she made. The ongoing Israeli blockade has created severe food shortages, forcing families to bring meals to hospital patients since hospitals cannot provide food. Dr. Khaled Alserr noted a significant loss of weight among patients due to inadequate nutrition. Malnutrition rates are escalating, particularly among children and pregnant women, with recent U.N. estimations highlighting around 16,000 pregnant women facing acute malnutrition.
Since the blockade began on March 2, food supplies have dwindled, further exacerbated by the closure of aid distributions and bakeries. Most markets offer only canned goods and a few vegetables, with prices soaring; a kilogram of zucchini now costs around $10. Gaza’s agricultural sector has suffered, with 80% of farmlands damaged and many areas becoming inaccessible due to military zones. Fayez feels her son’s intestinal issues stem from a diet of canned food.
Israel’s blockade and military actions, intensifying after Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, have strained the population. Israeli officials claim sufficient food entered Gaza during brief ceasefires, but this has been challenged by rights groups as a “starvation tactic.” Further complicating the situation, Israel plans to control aid distribution, a move opposed by the U.N. and aid organizations.
In the hospitals, patients often receive little food. Asmaa Faraj, another patient, had only dates and water, reflecting the dire circumstances. Her sister lamented how hospital visits have changed since food, like fruits, have become scarce. Families, like that of Mohammed al-Bursh, face tough choices as they try to provide basic nutrition for loved ones, all while navigating skyrocketing food prices and limited supplies.
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