For over two months, northern Gaza has been plunged into an escalating humanitarian catastrophe. The Israeli-imposed siege has deprived residents of vital necessities, with cooking gas among the first to disappear. Under relentless bombardment and a tightening blockade, families struggle daily to find even the most basic means of survival.

Nariman Ma’rouf, a resident of northern Gaza, explains the harsh reality: “Since the ceasefire ended in December 2023, cooking gas has been unattainable. We’ve resorted to scouring for firewood just to prepare meals or heat water.” But the blockade has rendered even this alternative scarce. Trapped indoors by continuous shelling, residents fear venturing out in search of wood, and supplies are quickly dwindling.

In desperation, some have turned to burning plastic materials for cooking, but this toxic method creates smoke that contaminates food. Ma’rouf reflects on the grim choices her family faces: “Eating canned food cold, straight from the tin, has become more bearable than trying to cook with burning plastic.” The shortage has also forced families to sift through expired flour for bread, fearing a complete collapse of food supplies.

The crisis extends beyond hunger. Residents feel abandoned by the international community, as Ma’rouf passionately asks: “Does the world not see that we are unarmed civilians, targeted simply for living on this land? They’re waging war on our children’s lives to force us to leave, but we’d rather die here with dignity than be displaced.”

The United Nations has described the situation in northern Gaza as catastrophic, warning of an imminent famine. Since October 7, 2023, the total blockade has halted the entry of food, fuel, and humanitarian aid, compounding the impact of widespread airstrikes that have killed or injured more than 150,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children.

Despite unimaginable suffering, the people of northern Gaza remain resolute, clinging to their homes and land as a matter of principle and survival.