Food is becoming increasingly scarce in Gaza after Israel cut off fuel supplies to the region, leaving residents of the enclave in fear of hunger without the ability to do basic cooking.
As Israel continues to close the Gaza Strip crossings, several bakeries have shut down due to the depletion of gas needed to operate them.
Hundreds of Palestinians are once again lining up for hours in front of the few remaining bakeries to obtain bread - a task that has become extremely challenging.
"I waited in line for over three hours just to get one loaf of bread. I had to come early to make sure I can get some. We're afraid that the bakeries will close," said Ibtihal, a Palestinian refugee.
Palestinians have been forced to return to cooking their food over open fires after the domestic gas supply ran out. Their suffering deepens as the search for firewood and drinking water becomes increasingly difficult.
"We've been living in a tent since we returned, and we haven't had cooking gas for two months. We cook our food over a fire, but firewood is scarce. We're using cardboard now, which affects my health," said another Palestinian refugee.
At the same time, food stocks, including meat and dairy products, are running low, and the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, when demand for food increases, has exacerbated shortages. This leaves Gazans vulnerable to hunger and disease.
"In just a few days, we'll face a worsening humanitarian crisis. The most vulnerable — women, children, the elderly, and the sick — will suffer the most, deprived of even the most basic necessities. Severe hunger is imminent," said Amjad Shawa, head of the Palestinian NGO Network.
Fuel shortages and power outages have severely affected water supplies. UNICEF has warned that water shortages in Gaza have reached critical levels, with only one in 10 people currently able to access safe drinking water.
Gazans live in fear of hunger amid Israeli fuel cuts
