Every day, Ibtisam Ghalia and her four children check their dwindling food supplies. They have only a small amount of beans, lentils, salt, herbs, spices, and flour left to make flatbreads over a fire fueled by wood splinters, waste plastic, and cardboard.
Since Israel imposed a total blockade on Gaza two months ago, Ghalia’s food reserves have been running out. Some days are better when she receives cash assistance from an NGO to buy fresh produce or when someone gifts her flour.
However, prices have skyrocketed due to the ongoing blockade, making basic food items scarce. The UN warehouses are empty, and the family has not had meat or dairy for months. Ghalia tries to stretch their meals as much as possible, often eating less to ensure her children have enough to eat.
The constant sound of airstrikes and shelling near their tented encampment reminds Ghalia of the loss of her husband in a drone strike. Her eldest son goes out to find firewood for cooking, as gas and benzene supplies are almost non-existent.
Ghalia’s daughter has nightmares about explosions and missing her old life, including going to school and enjoying family outings. The situation is dire, with cases of malnutrition on the rise and humanitarian aid running out.
Israeli officials claim the blockade is necessary due to alleged aid theft by Hamas, while aid officials in Gaza deny widespread theft and attribute any looting to the desperate situation. The war in Gaza, triggered by a Hamas attack in 2023, has resulted in numerous casualties and hostages, with the blockade intensifying the humanitarian crisis. En total, 52,400 palestinos, mayormente civiles, han sido matados en la guerra, incluyendo más de 2,300 desde que Israel renovó su ofensiva a mediados de marzo después de romper una promesa de pasar a la segunda fase del frágil alto al fuego que entró en vigencia en enero.
“Solo queremos vivir en seguridad. Queremos que termine el miedo, que pare la guerra, que la vida vuelva a ser como solía ser. Queremos nuestras casas de vuelta”, dijo Ghalia, luego se volvió a contar sus suministros menguantes. El viernes, se le acabará la harina, quedando solo los frijoles y el paquete de lentejas.