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Half a million people, or nearly a quarter of the population of Gaza, are threatened with starvation, according to a report released this week by a United Nations program that monitors world hunger levels. In the next six weeks, the 2.4 million residents of the Las Vegas Strip could find themselves in the same situation.
Large numbers of Palestinians, including many children, gathered behind a barrier in Rafah, each holding a plastic plate, waiting for their turn to get a plate of food from the hot pot.
“We are facing a shortage of resources,” said Khaled Sheikh Al-Eid, director of the hospice in the Shabrah area of Rafa. “The market has run out of lentils, bulgur, peas and beans.”
Sheikh al-Eid estimated that “around 10,000 people” were trying to get food every day in the besieged area.
The hospice uses donations and volunteers to prepare the food.
Bakr Al-Naji, who volunteers at the hospice, felt heartbroken when the food he prepared ran out. “We are worried that people will die of hunger,” he said, as he heard children complain of hunger. Fava beans have risen from one shekel to six shekels (two dollars).
He continued, “Before the war people were poor. Before the war people who worked could barely feed their children. So what about now?”
Residents of the Gaza Strip are suffering from severe shortages of food, water, medicine, fuel and all basic necessities.
Salam Haider (36), a mother of three, was unable to get food on Saturday, noting that she usually starts queuing from 8am.
“I was late today because I was with my son who was receiving treatment at the clinic. I asked for help to return as soon as possible to get food, but the clinic was crowded,” she lamented.
“I feel sad and depressed. We haven’t eaten anything today and we won’t eat,” she cried.
She continued: “My little son was crying so hard and wanted candy. He saw a child holding candy and tried to take it from him. I told him that was not allowed.”
Nour Barbakh, a displaced person from eastern Khan Younis, was five months pregnant when she lined up for food at the UNRWA school in Rafah.
“I feel miserable while waiting because of the standing and crowding,” she said, explaining that she sometimes lets her 12-year-old son stand while he is pushed.
She added, “If it weren’t for this hospice, we wouldn’t have anything to eat. What we get isn’t enough, but it’s better than nothing.”
“My children will starve to death. They have lost a lot of weight. They will wake up from their sleep at night because of hunger,” said the woman who tried to get the bread.
She added: “It is better to die as a martyr than to die of hunger.”
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