:Gaza- Nawa Network- Filastiniyat
Rahaf wakes up every night crying and asking her mother for something to eat, but she answers painfully:" We have nothing but stale bread to eat."
Rahaf craves milk, honey, fruit, and vegetables after losing weight dramatically, having had nothing but stale bread for the past three months. When the Israeli occupation closed the crossing and prevented the entry of food and medical aid, it caused a famine in the Gaza Strip.
"She needs a proper diet with some fruit, vegetables, and milk, but all of these are unavailable."
Rahaf Ayad, 12 years old, from AlShujaiya in the east of the Gaza Strip, is unable to stand up due to severe malnutrition. Her mother, Shuroq, says: "She needs a proper diet with some fruit, vegetables, and milk, but all of these are unavailable."
Due to the family's financial hardship, her mother can't afford the necessary food, and Rahaf's health is worsening.
Her mother says, "Rahaf can't walk without assistance, and her hair began to shed, which damaged her mental state."
Since 2nd March, there has been no medical and food aid entering Gaza because the Israeli occupation closed the crossing, which has exacerbated famine, the prices for the available food in the stores are rising, and many people and children are suffering from malnutrition.
until the beginning of last April, 32 people have died, 28 of whom were children, because of malnutrition and dehydration in the hospitals in the north of Gaza.
Rahaf's weight dropped from 37 kilograms to just 12 since the genocidal war began, which has led to food and financial shortages.
For months, Rahaf has been eating nothing but stale bread or bread with zaatar, but now she can no longer accept or eat them, and her mother wonders: "What am I supposed to do. My daughter cannot accept the food because she has a stomachache."
Malnutrition is starting to affect Rahaf's brother in a few days: "But his health condition is better than Rahaf's," the mother says, adding," We are calling on human rights organizations to protect the lives of children in Gaza, they are innocent of any political conflict. Israel's occupation has violated fundamental rights of children, particularly their right to adequate nutrition."
until the beginning of last April, 32 people have died, 28 of whom were children, because of malnutrition and dehydration in the hospitals in the north of Gaza.
Daily, more than a million children are suffering from chronic hunger; 65 thousand of them are hospitalized as a result of acute malnutrition, according to a statement from the government office.
For three months, Humanitarian aid has been completely blocked from entry to Gaza by Israel's occupation.
For three months, Humanitarian aid has been completely blocked from entry to Gaza by Israel's occupation. Since 2 March, it has closed the crossings of Gaza (Karm Abu Salem, Zekim, and Beit Hanon), which caused a blockade of essential aid like food, fuel, and medicine.
Since the war in Gaza began, there have been 2.4 million people relying on human aid, and the Israeli occupation has blocked its entry to the Gaza Strip, which has caused famine.
