Gaza’s Culinary Crises: A Call for Food and Freedom

The Unseen Struggles of Gaza

In the backdrop of war, the destruction of homes, infrastructure, and economies is often captured in stark headlines and images. But seldom do we pause to acknowledge the insidious rise of food insecurity, a crisis that gnaws away at the very fabric of survival. Today, families in Gaza teeter on the brink of death, not just from bombs, but from the slow, agonizing impact of hunger.

Imagine losing six kilograms in six weeks while barely managing a single meal a day—often a meager serving of rice and salad. For many, the luxury of even one meal is a distant memory, replaced by scavenging or desperate attempts to grow food in barren soil.

Amidst the clamor of war, the question echoes louder: If this isn’t starvation, what is it?

A Silent Crisis: The Weight of Suffering

Having lived through Gaza’s starvation crisis in early 2024, I witnessed firsthand the toll it takes on the human body and spirit. Alongside my colleagues, we conducted a study in April 2024, later published in the Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, which unveiled shocking revelations. Nearly all participants (98.4 percent) had experienced weight loss, averaging 18.72 kg—roughly 22 percent of their body weight.

Diet Gone Awry

As traditional staples like wheat flour and rice vanished, families turned to wild plants and animal feed just to survive. This dietary shift has triggered a host of health complications, including diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain, stemming from both nutritional deficiencies and food contamination.

Extreme Shortages: A Perpetual Struggle

The persistent blockades and military assaults on Gaza have systematically dismantled the local food supply chain. Agricultural land lies in ruins, supermarkets stand empty, and humanitarian aid remains trapped behind political barriers.

Hunger as a Weapon

This nightmare isn’t just a result of conflict; it represents the weaponization of hunger, a deliberate act intended to break the spirit of an already beleaguered population. While the world has been captivated by images of devastation and despair, the slow-burning agony of starvation often escapes public consciousness.

Call to the Global Community

International organizations have issued statements, but words alone are insufficient. The blockade choking Gaza’s access to food and medicine remains intact, and humanitarian organizations battle political roadblocks, hindering urgent action.

A Taste of Hope: The Shimmer of Aid

Amid the bleakness, the arrival of aid brings fleeting moments of joy. Fresh produce—cucumbers, tomatoes, bananas—once considered luxuries have returned, albeit temporarily, during brief truces. However, these goods are either unavailable or priced beyond the reach of most families.

“I never thought eggs or apples would become unattainable luxuries,” a sentiment that encapsulates the heartbreaking desperation of daily life in Gaza.

Yearning for Freedom

While my stomach craves bread, what I truly long for is liberation. My love for peaches, once a simple joy, has transformed into a distant dream, a marker of a life beyond mere survival. My documentation of food during the truce serves not just as a reminder for myself but as a legacy for future generations. True hunger is not only of the body but also of the spirit, yearning for dignity and freedom.

A Human Right: The Right to Food

Food security is not a privilege; it’s a fundamental human right. International laws exist to safeguard civilians during wartime, yet in Gaza, they are routinely disregarded.

Urgent Action Needed

The crisis in Gaza transcends policy discussions; it’s an urgent humanitarian emergency demanding immediate response. The international community must rise beyond rhetoric and take tangible steps to alleviate the suffering of two million souls trapped in a relentless cycle of violence and starvation.

A Legacy of Humanity

History will judge our responses to this dire situation. Will you be a bystander watching the slow march to starvation, or will you advocate for justice and dignity?

To ignore this crisis is to pave the way for the normalization of brutality in warfare—an eventuality that will haunt those complicit in silence.

Time is running out for the people of Gaza. The world must act—because hunger should never be an option.

— Asem Alnabih is an engineer and PhD researcher based in Gaza City. He serves as a spokesperson for Gaza Municipality and has contributed writings in both Arabic and English. Follow him on X.