Children in Gaza beg for a plate of food

The intensification of blockade in Gaza aggravates the humanitarian crisis, leaving thousands without food and water, while children fight for survival

While waiting for food at a distribution point in northern Gaza, Ismail Abu Odeh, six, begged: “Give me a little”. But when she returned to the shelter where she lives with her family, her bowl of lentils fell to the floor. The next day, without new food or water deliveries in the displaced field where they are sheltered, the boy cried again with hungry.

Also read: ‘My children go to sleep hungry,’ they say residents of Gaza

The BBC has talked to residents of Gaza in the last two days, while Israel intensifies its military offensive and maintains a block that already lasts more than 10 weeks, restricting access to food, medicine and other basic supplies. International organizations warn that the territory is on the verge of a widespread hunger crisis.

The Israeli government states that “There is no scarcity” Food in Gaza and accuses Hamas of diverting humanitarian aid. Israeli authorities also argue that supplies restriction is a way to press the militant group to release hostages still kept in Gaza-it is estimated that up to 23 of the 58 kidnappeds are alive.

Hunger and creativity to survive

With the closure of community kitchens and the scarcity in the markets, Gazenses face difficulties to get a meal a day. The few foods available are exorbitant prices, reports.

Adham al-Batrawi, 31, displaced in downtown Gaza, told the BBC that people are being “Creative just to survive”. He described how excess cooked pasta kneads to imitate bread, a basic food in the Palestinian diet. “We invented ways of cooking that we never imagined we would need”these.

A 23 -year -old girl, also in northern Gaza, reported feeling “Constant dizziness” and weakness due to lack of food and medicine.

Children under bombing and hospitals in collapse

Rewaa Mohsen, nurse in Deir al-Balah, struggles to support her two small daughters. In messages through WhatsApp, she said she stored diapers during ceasefire, but supplies should end in a month. His daughters, three and 19 months, have become used to the sound of bombings. “Sometimes I feel more afraid than them”admitted.

In hospitals, the situation is critical. Randa Saied, a nurse at Khan Younis European hospital, described the moment the site was hit by an Israeli attack as “Pure terror”. The structure, now inoperative, had patients and employees transferred to the Nasser Hospital, which also faces lack of medicines and equipment.

Israel claims that Hamas uses hospitals such as bases, accusation denied by the group. Meanwhile, the US prepares a new humanitarian aid system, with Israeli military protection – a UN -criticized plan, which sees it as a form of “Turning help into a weapon”.

Back to the shelter where Ismail and his family try to survive, the boy’s father vents: “My children are going to sleep hungry. Sometimes I sit crying like a child if I can’t give them food.”

With information from BBC*