The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, which began on October 7, 2023, has escalated significantly, following a militant attack that resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the hostage-taking of around 250 individuals.

Since the conflict's escalation, Gaza has witnessed over 44,000 deaths and more than 104,000 injuries, with the vast majority of the 2.3 million residents displaced due to widespread destruction.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, Israeli authorities report that food supplies entering Gaza have reached their lowest levels in nearly 14 months, leading to rising hunger and desperation among the population reliant on aid.

With bakeries facing flour shortages, crowds have swelled as families are forced to manage with only one meal a day, and bread has become the primary food source available.

Residents like Karam Afali have recounted waiting for hours in line for bread, highlighting the dire conditions in the region.

In a tragic incident on November 29, 2024, two children and a 50-year-old woman suffocated in a crowd at a bakery in Gaza, highlighting the severe food crisis as families struggle to secure basic necessities.

Eyewitnesses described how the women collapsed in the throng while trying to purchase bread, underscoring the dangers faced by those seeking food amidst the ongoing crisis.

Reports indicate that the population is increasingly desperate, struggling to access basic necessities like food amidst rising violence and instability.

Earlier in the same week, three women were also killed by gunfire while waiting at a bakery, illustrating the perilous conditions for residents trying to access food.

The United Nations has noted a rise in organized armed looting in Gaza due to the breakdown of public order, further complicating the delivery of humanitarian aid.

On the same day as the bakery incident, a shooting in the West Bank injured eight people when a gunman attacked an Israeli bus near the settlement of Ariel, reflecting the ongoing violence in the region.

In a broader context, the International Criminal Court has accused Israeli leaders of using starvation as a weapon in the conflict with Hamas, further complicating the humanitarian situation in Gaza.