Gaza Faces Dire Food Crisis as Israeli Blockade Continues for 60 Days

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The blockade of the Gaza Strip by Israel, now in effect for nearly 60 days, has left approximately 2.3 million Palestinians struggling to secure food, fuel, and medicine. According to reports from aid groups, markets are nearly empty, forcing families to rely on sparse rations, such as canned vegetables and rice.

Residents in Khan Younis, like Mariam al-Najjar, report extreme scarcity, as traditional meals have been replaced with simple dishes of peas and rice, a far cry from the family feasts customary on Fridays. Humanitarian workers warn that children are suffering from malnutrition due to the lack of essential nutrients, with the U.N. indicating a staggering 80% increase in cases of acute malnutrition for children since February.

Israel asserts that the blockade aims to pressure Hamas for hostages, yet rights organizations have criticized it as a "starvation tactic." Meanwhile, food prices have skyrocketed, prompting fears that the humanitarian crisis will only worsen without immediate international intervention.

Humanitarian kitchens are also running low on supplies as aid continues to dwindle. Experts warn that the health implications from this prolonged crisis could resonate for generations to come.

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