GAZA - As the United Nations Security Council demands an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and concerns grow that famine may take hold, the territory’s hungry civilians are foraging for a wild green plant called Khobiza for lack of anything else to eat.
It is another reminder of the situation in the Palestinian enclave after the Oct 7 attack on Israel, when Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
The assault triggered a fierce response from Israel, which launched air strikes and shelling in Gaza that have killed more than 32,000 Palestinians, according to the enclave’s health authorities – the worst conflict between Israel and Hamas, an Islamist group that runs the territory.
“All our lives, even through (previous) wars, we have not eaten Khobiza,” said a Palestinian, Ms Maryam Al-Attar. “My daughters tell me, ‘We want to eat bread’. My heart breaks for them.”
“I can’t find bread. I go and gather some Khobiza. We have found Khobiza for now but in the future, where will we get it from? Khobiza will run out. Where do we turn?”
Palestinians are suffering at a time when they should be observing the fasting holy month of Ramadan, like Muslims elsewhere who enjoy large dinners with their families.
“We have nothing to eat. We crave vegetables, fish and meat. We fast with empty stomachs. We can no longer fast. We are dizzy from hunger,” said Palestinian Umm Mohamed.
Famine is imminent and likely to occur by May in northern Gaza and could spread across the enclave by July, the world’s hunger watchdog, known as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, said on March 18.
Fears that Khobiza will provide only temporary relief are growing as uncertainty about aid delivery is deepening, and as mediators seek to narrow gaps between Israel and Hamas over terms for a ceasefire and release of hostages.
On March 25, an Israeli government spokesperson said Israel will stop working with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), by far the largest relief body in Gaza, accusing it of perpetuating conflict.
Israel alleged in January that 12 of UNRWA’s 13,000 staff in Gaza took part in the Oct 7 attack. The accusations led several donor countries to suspend funding.
UNRWA fired some staff, saying it was to protect its ability to deliver humanitarian assistance, and an independent internal UN investigation was launched. REUTERS
