In the face of grinding poverty and soaring prices in Gaza, Fatima Al-Qadi, a mother of five, has been forced to rely on lentils as the cornerstone of her family's diet. “Day after day,” she prepares lentil soup, as it has become the only affordable food amidst widespread famine, economic hardship, and the unrelenting Israeli blockade. Known as “the meat of the poor,” lentils offer essential nutrients similar to meat, which has become scarce due to the ongoing conflict and Israel's control over the region’s borders.

For many families like Fatima's, lentils are the only option. As she explains, vegetables and basic food staples are now beyond her reach, leaving lentils as the sole meal that can fill her children's stomachs. “Our stomachs are worn out,” she says, sharing the emotional toll that the repetitive diet has taken on her family. This is a common story in Gaza, where other foods like meat, chicken, and fruits are no longer available due to the blockade and the ongoing violence.

Lentils are also distributed at food kitchens, offering a lifeline to thousands of displaced families struggling to survive. Despite the emotional and physical strain of eating the same food daily, the reality is that many have no choice. As Adil Abu Labda, another displaced father, shares, lentils, beans, and peas are the only meals his family can afford in their tent. “They’ve grown to hate these meals,” he admits, underscoring the toll hunger and deprivation have on Gaza’s population.

With Gaza's hospitals overwhelmed by cases of malnutrition and anemia, and aid shipments regularly intercepted by Israeli forces, lentils have become a symbol of survival in a place where people are deprived of even the most basic necessities. For the people of Gaza, lentils are not just a meal—they are a stark reminder of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.