Under the suffocating grip of Israel’s blockade, Gaza’s displaced families are enduring unimaginable hardship as vital aid is cut off during Ramadan. With homes destroyed and food supplies exhausted, tens of thousands now rely on makeshift kitchens run by volunteers, where women and children queue for hours in the hope of a single meal.  

Osama al-Masri, a father of 16 from Beit Hanoun, describes the dire reality: “We used to depend on aid, but it has stopped completely. We have nothing left—not even the basics.” Jibril Yousef, 22, echoes the despair: “We only ask for food and water to survive. If this continues, I fear another famine.”  

Children are among the hardest hit. Umm Mahmoud, a mother of four, shares her pain: “This Ramadan is unlike any other. We stand for hours just to get a little food for our children.”  

Humanitarian agencies warn of a looming catastrophe. The World Food Programme reports that Gaza’s food stocks will last mere days, raising fears of mass starvation. Clean water is scarce, and hospitals are overwhelmed or shut down due to damage and shortages.  

Local volunteers are doing what they can, but their efforts are insufficient without international support. Displaced families and activists are pleading for urgent intervention to reopen crossings and allow aid deliveries. “This blockade is a death sentence for innocent civilians,” said one volunteer.  

As desperation grows, the cries for help grow louder—and time is running out.