**DaysofPal-** The Gaza Strip is teetering on the brink of a catastrophic famine as Israeli occupation maintains an unrelenting closure of its crossings for over two weeks.
This Israeli blockade has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation, leaving more than two million residents facing severe shortages of necessities, including food, medicine, and fuel.
Official data from the Government Media Office in Gaza and the World Food Program (WFP) paint a grim picture of escalating food insecurity, with warnings that the crisis could spiral into full-blown famine if crossings remain sealed.
#### A Catastrophic Food Shortage
According to WFP reports, 70% of Gaza’s population now relies almost entirely on food aid, while others have reverted to subsisting on canned goods—a stark reminder of past sieges.
The absence of fresh or frozen meat in local markets highlights the severity of the shortage, with prices skyrocketing for what little remains available.
Hussam Kalloub, a 36-year-old father supporting three children, described his struggle: “For the past week, no meat has entered my house, neither fresh nor frozen. Meat has disappeared from the market, and when it is available, it is scarce and at prices I cannot afford.”
Kalloub’s plight echoes countless families struggling to feed their loved ones amid dwindling resources. Many Gazans are forced to rely once again on canned food—their primary sustenance during previous crises—as hopes for improvement fade under the weight of prolonged closures and lost livelihoods.
#### Voices from the Ground
Mahmoud Abu Tabikh, a 40-year-old displaced person residing in a shelter in northern Gaza, recounted his hardships after losing his home in recent bombardments.
Despite having enjoyed relative financial stability before the war, he now cannot provide even basic meals for his five children.
“The dining table in my house is empty of fresh food and meat,” Abu Tabikh lamented. “Even during Ramadan, we only find canned food and a little bread and rice for iftar, which we get from the shelter.”
Ali Abu Odeh, another resident grappling with scarcity, expressed fears about the broader implications of the closure. “I fear the blockade will even affect bakeries,” he said.
“We now rely on charitable donations for breakfast. Last week, only meatless rice and some simple canned food were brought into my home.” He added.
With bakeries struggling due to gas shortages and many already closed, the outlook grows increasingly bleak for families like Ali’s.
#### Warnings of Impending Famine
Government officials and international organizations have sounded alarm bells regarding the potential return of mass starvation in Gaza.
Salama Maarouf, head of the Government Media Office in Gaza, described the ongoing closure as a “new crime” within Israeli policy of collective punishment and slow death against 2.4 million people. He emphasized that vulnerable groups—children, the sick, and the elderly—are bearing the brunt of this suffocating blockade.
The WFP announced that since March 2, all crossings into Gaza had been shut, halting the entry of critical food and humanitarian supplies.
While the organization initially maintained sufficient stocks to support bakeries and kitchens for a month, many bakeries have since ceased operations due to fuel shortages. Additionally, 1.1 million people await replenishment of essential food supplies, underscoring the urgency of reopening crossings to avert disaster.
Gaza’s suffering extends far beyond food shortages. Healthcare systems are collapsing under the strain of depleted medical supplies, and infrastructure continues to deteriorate without access to necessary materials for reconstruction.
These compounding crises deepen the despair felt by residents who yearn for an end to hostilities and the lifting of the blockade.
Maarouf stressed that procrastination in implementing the ceasefire agreement has directly contributed to these shortages, threatening the re-emergence of famine.
In a region already plagued by chronic food insecurity, the continued closure of crossings represents yet another layer of suffering inflicted upon an already beleaguered population.
#### Global Responsibility
As the humanitarian catastrophe unfolds, calls grow louder for the international community to intervene decisively. Lifting the blockade and ensuring safe passage for humanitarian aid are immediate priorities to prevent further deterioration.
Failure to act risks consigning millions of Gazans to a future defined by hunger, disease, and despair—a fate no one deserves.
In the face of such overwhelming adversity, the resilience of Gaza’s people shines through. Yet, their strength can only go so far without tangible support and relief.
The world must not turn a blind eye to this unfolding tragedy; instead, it must mobilize efforts to restore dignity, security, and hope to the besieged inhabitants of the Gaza Strip.
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