RAFIF ESLEEM

Gaza- The ongoing Israeli blockade has left Palestinians without access to basic food supplies while hospitals in the Gaza Strip are overwhelmed by a surge in the number of malnourished children.

Women in Gaza have recently exchanged their most valuable belongings to buy food for their children.

 Amal el-Dahduh first exchanged one of her belongings to buy vegetables for her grandchildren. “I offered lentils and rice in exchange for some vegetables,” said Amal el-Dahduh, who has used this method for about four months. If one woman wants to exchange something, the exchange value of money does not have to be the same; it could be less, she told NuJINHA.

‘Life has become unbreathable for women’

Since Amal el-Dahduh’s two sons were killed in Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip, she has struggled to hold on to life with her grandchildren and daughters-in-law. She thinks the exchange of goods is the best option to get food in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing Israeli blockage.

“I have money in my bank account; however, I cannot withdraw it. For this reason, I exchange goods to buy food for my family,” said Amal el-Dahduh, who feels very bad when she exchanges her most valuable belongings such as presents from her killed sons.

“I have to exchange everything to buy food for my grandchildren,” she said, calling on the international community to put pressure on Israel to end the ongoing blockage on the Gaza Strip.