Desperate Gazans grind animal feed to make bread amid famine threat

The threat of famine is forcing Gazans in the northern part of the besieged enclave to resort to grinding animal feed to make bread.

Sari Abu Khater, an internally displaced Palestinian in Jabalia camp in northern Gaza, is one of hundreds who have replaced scarce wheat with barley and corn – typically used to feed animals – to bake bread for his 18 family members.

“For two months we have been deprived of white flour and the world is witnessing our struggle as we face literal starvation,” Mr Abu Khater told The National.

“We cannot find anything to feed our children.”

However, the cost of grinding the grain is expensive, which means families can make only a small amount of bread each day. About a month ago, he found some animal-feed grains. Determined to provide food for his family, he began the process of grinding corn and barley to bake bread.

“We used to wait at the mill for three days until our turn finally arrived,” said Mr Abu Khater on queuing to get some corn or barley.

After the decision by some countries to pause funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, Michael Fakhri, UN special rapporteur on the right to food, said “famine was inevitable” in the enclave.

Before the war started about four months ago, an average of 500 aid lorries entered Gaza each day, according to the UN

“The average number of trucks entering daily for about a week is estimated at around five to seven, loaded with food supplies,” UNRWA spokesman Adnan Abu Hasna told The National.

But the level of relief does not meet the needs of Gazans and those in the northern provinces, Mr Abu Hasna added.

“Tens of thousands of them are starving,” he said.

The UNRWA has said its aid lorries have been hit by Israeli gunfire, compounding the crisis. Palestinians are also facing soaring prices due to border closures and the shortage of goods. Hashem Barghout, who fled Gaza city to Deir Al Balah, now tries to sell food.

“People cannot afford the prices and I strive to keep them reasonable,” he said.

Murad Al Ghandor, who lives in Jabalia camp, said he was unable to buy wheat, with one bag costing about $200.

“What fate will we face?” he said. “Will we die of hunger, or will God relieve us and end this war?”