At dawn, young Youssef in Gaza City races barefoot with a pot to a community kitchen, only to find a long queue. Fearful of missing out, people push, and children often fall amidst the chaos. Thousands of Gazans, many of them children, depend on these kitchens daily for their families' sustenance.
The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened considerably since March 2nd, when Israel blocked aid and then resumed its military campaign after a ceasefire collapsed. Essential supplies are dwindling rapidly. The UN's World Food Programme reported distributing its last remaining food stocks to these crucial kitchens.
After his father's tragic death in the war, the heavy burden of finding food fell upon young Youssef. His simple yet profound dream is to share a peaceful meal with his mother and sister. This hope fuels his daily race to the community kitchen, a lifeline in a desperate situation.
However, the chaotic scramble for food often leads to further hardship. Youssef recounts the pain of returning home empty-handed when his pot slips and the precious food spills. This agony, he says, surpasses even the gnawing pangs of hunger that plague countless Gazans daily.
Volunteer chef Faten Al-Madhoun, running a charity kitchen in northern Gaza with just 13 helpers, toils over wood fires with inadequate equipment. They prepare around 500 meals daily, but over 600 people arrive, highlighting the immense and ever-growing need as borders remain closed and basic necessities vanish.
Source: https://www.arabnews.com/node/2598706/middle-east