A 21-year-old writer living in Gaza documents her daily life under the U.S.–Israeli program of mass starvation.
The post “Food Has Become a Memory”: My Hunger Diary in Gaza appeared first on The Intercept.
As I sit down to write this, my stomach grumbles in protest. It has been days since I have had a proper meal, and the pangs of hunger have become a constant companion. I am a 21-year-old writer living in Gaza, and I am one of the millions of Palestinians who are suffering under the U.S.–Israeli program of mass starvation.
It all started when the U.S. and Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza in 2007, restricting the movement of people and goods in and out of the territory. This has severely limited our access to food, medicine, and other basic necessities. As a result, the majority of the population in Gaza is now dependent on humanitarian aid for survival.
For me, the struggle to find food began when my father lost his job due to the blockade. With no source of income, my family could no longer afford to buy food from the market. We had to rely on the limited supplies provided by aid organizations, which were never enough to feed a family of six.
Every day, I wake up with a gnawing feeling in my stomach, knowing that I have to make do with whatever little food we have. Breakfast is usually a piece of bread with some olive oil, if we are lucky enough to have it. Lunch and dinner are often the same – a small portion of rice or lentils, sometimes with a few vegetables if we are fortunate.
But even this meager diet has become a luxury. With the recent cuts in aid by the U.S. and Israel, the food rations have become even smaller. Some days, we have to go without any food at all. I have lost count of the number of times I have gone to bed with an empty stomach, praying for a better tomorrow.
The lack of proper nutrition has taken a toll on my health. I am constantly tired and weak, and I have lost a significant amount of weight. I have also developed anemia, a common condition among women and children in Gaza due to malnutrition. But I consider myself lucky compared to many others who are suffering from more serious health issues due to the lack of food and medical supplies.
But it’s not just the physical effects that are taking a toll on me. The constant struggle for survival has also taken a toll on my mental health. I am constantly anxious and worried about the future. Will I ever be able to pursue my dreams and become a successful writer? Will I ever have a chance to travel and see the world? These thoughts haunt me every day, but I try to push them aside and focus on the present.
In the midst of all this suffering, I have found solace in writing. It is my way of expressing my thoughts and emotions, and it gives me a sense of purpose. I have started documenting my daily life in a hunger diary, hoping to shed light on the reality of living under the U.S.–Israeli program of mass starvation.
But it’s not just about me. It’s about the millions of Palestinians who are facing the same struggles every day. It’s about the children who are growing up malnourished and the women who are struggling to feed their families. It’s about the elderly who are unable to access proper healthcare and the young people who are losing hope for a better future.
The world needs to know what is happening in Gaza. We are not just numbers or statistics, we are human beings who are being denied our basic right to food and dignity. The U.S. and Israel cannot continue to turn a blind eye to our suffering. It’s time for the international community to take action and put an end to this inhumane blockade.
As I finish writing this, my stomach growls louder, reminding me of the harsh reality of my daily life. But I refuse to let hunger defeat me. I will continue to write and speak out until our voices are heard and our rights are recognized. Food may have become a memory for me, but I refuse to let it become a reality for future generations in Gaza.
The post “Food Has Become a Memory”: My Hunger Diary in Gaza appeared first on The Intercept. And I hope that through my words, the world will finally take notice and take action to end the suffering of
