Starvation could lead to MASS DEATHS in the Gaza Strip, resident warns

By richardbrown // 2024-03-04

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A resident of Gaza City, the capital of the Gaza Strip, has warned that starvation could lead to mass deaths in the area besieged by Israel. According to a report by the Middle East Eye (MEE), offensives by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have plunged the region into an extreme famine. Residents face alarming levels of malnutrition, with the same leading to the tragic deaths of infants. Thus, the area's over half a million residents are now focusing their efforts around the daily, arduous task of procuring sustenance. One resident of Gaza City who chose to remain anonymous for safety reasons, recounted the harrowing struggle to survive. The resident told Lubna Masarwa of the MEE that the severe scarcity of essential items have made the acquisition of even basic commodities like sugar, salt and rice more challenging. Such staples, when available, are sold at exorbitant prices – adding to the woes of residents. The recent influx of around 800 bags of wheat flour appeared to paint an optimistic view. But dividing the number of flour bags with northern Gaza's population of approximately 700,000 quickly dimmed that optimism. This equates to one bag for every 1,000 individuals. The resident also shared a personal account of a relative who managed to secure a bag of wheat flour, which contained a meager 25 kilograms. Despite efforts to distribute it among extended family members, each person ends up with only one kilogram. To stretch the limited provisions, the resident mixed the flour with corn and soy flour – a desperate attempt to increase the quantity of their meager rations. The resident and their sister spend three hours to cook the rations into bread, only to be met with disappointment in the form of hard, uncooked, and oddly flavored food. But with nothing to eat as an alternative, the desperation forces them to suggest adding thyme to mask the unpalatable taste.

Food isn't the only thing scarce in Gaza

According to the resident, the scarcity in Gaza extends to other essentials, such as wood for cooking fires. The resident said they're having difficulty starting fires due to the poor quality of the remaining wood in Gaza. The resident also revealed a troubling revelation: Older family members already deprived of adequate sustenance refuse to eat, giving their share to the children. The exhaustion from the day's efforts is intensified when an air strike hits nearby, causing fear and panic among the already beleaguered residents. The grim reality faced by the narrator paints a devastating picture of life in northern Gaza – a place on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. (Related: UNRWA warns of growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid continued Israeli bombings.) The resident also reflected on their deteriorating physical condition, mentioning a once-healthy existence that has transformed into a frail state. Activities like riding horses and running are now distant memories. As resources dwindle, desperation leads people to consume wild herbs. The dire situation is encapsulated in the resident's prediction that if conditions persist for another week, mass starvation could ensue, with healthy individuals falling sick and the already sick succumbing to hunger. The haunting words of the resident convey the universal impact of the crisis, transcending financial status or pre-war preparations. The gravity of the situation is emphasized by the bleak assertion that death from airstrikes might be preferable to the prolonged suffering of hunger. The daily struggle for a mere morsel becomes an agonizing routine for those trapped in the relentless cycle of deprivation in northern Gaza. Watch this video that discusses how the famine in Gaza is forcing people to eat animal feed to survive. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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Food isn't the only thing scarce in Gaza

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