-GAZA CITY, PALESTINE - JULY 20, 2025: Palestinians strived to obtain small portions of charity food distributed at the al-Wahda Street in central Gaza City amid an ongoing blockade that has brought daily life to a breaking point. Palestinian mothers are voicing their exhaustion and despair as Israel continues to prevent the entry of essential supplies into the besieged enclave. "Since 7 a.m., we’ve been waiting in line for charity meals until 4 or 5 p.m.," Hanadi Ubayd, a Palestinian mother in Gaza, described the dire situation they faced. Ubayd spoke of their desperate efforts to comfort their children with false promises. "I am a mother. My children ask me, ‘Mom, when will we have bread?’ There's none at all. Every day, we say ‘Tomorrow, the day after, in an hour…’ but it's all empty promises," Ubayd said. Lina al-Zarbatli, another Gazan mother, asked for help from the world, noting that they only want the basics. That’s all we want — food and water for our children. That’s what we’re asking for. A little water… a little dignity." Gaza’s Health Ministry said Sunday that Israel’s blockade, which has restricted the entry of humanitarian aid since October 2023, has led to the deaths of 86 Palestinians -- 76 of them children -- due to hunger and malnutrition. The ministry said 18 people died of starvation in just 24 hours, calling the situation a “silent massacre” unfolding under a prolonged siege. Over the past week, Palestinian activists have documented people fainting in the streets from hunger. Anadolu’s Gaza correspondent confirmed witnessing multiple such cases -- and experiencing the effects of hunger himself. Since March 2, Israel has sealed all crossings into Gaza, halting the entry of food, medicine and humanitarian aid. According to Gaza’s Government Media Office, some 650,000 children are at risk of dying from hunger and malnutrition, and around 60,000 pregnant women face serious risks due to the lack of food and basic health care. Israel has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in the Gaza Strip since October 2023. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, collapsed the health system and led to severe food shortages. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.