The residents of Gaza are enduring a severe shortage of essential food supplies due to the Israeli closure of crossings and the blockade on aid, a move that violates the terms of the ceasefire agreement. This decision has caused unprecedented price hikes, with some merchants exploiting the crisis, making it increasingly difficult for families to secure their daily needs amid the suffocating siege, according to political activist Dr. Hassan Mohammed al-Qanou in northern Gaza.  

The water crisis has deepened as most drinking wells have shut down due to fuel shortages, leaving thousands of families without access to clean water. The blockade has also prevented the entry of cooking gas, forcing many to resort to burning firewood or even plastic, despite the severe health and environmental risks.  

The health sector is collapsing, with essential medications and medical supplies running out. Hospitals are unable to function properly, exacerbated by the arrest and killing of hundreds of doctors and health workers by Israeli forces. External medical delegations, which once helped alleviate the shortage of healthcare personnel, are now barred from entering.  

An environmental catastrophe is also unfolding. Wastewater treatment plants have stopped operating due to fuel shortages, causing sewage to flood streets and neighborhoods. Dr. al-Qanou warned that this could lead to the spread of epidemics and serious diseases, with no effective solutions or international intervention in sight.  

Despite these dire conditions, Dr. al-Qanou emphasized the resilience of Gaza’s people, who remain steadfast in their attachment to their homeland. “The occupation seeks to force migration by depriving us of basic necessities,” he said, “but our determination is stronger than any siege, even in the face of brutality and exploitation.”