After nearly 19 months of war, the people of Gaza are running out of ways to cope and are wary of what lies ahead. The Israeli blockade on all humanitarian and commercial supplies is now 2 months old. And Israeli bombardments across Gaza continue.

"The reality in Gaza is indescribable," Ahmad Qattawi told DW by phone from Gaza City. "We live in tragedy, trying to survive without knowing whether we'll make it or not. We may survive, but our souls died a long time ago." Fear of bombing is one issue, he said; finding enough to eat is another. "We are consumed by the daily search for food, storing whatever we can for the coming days," he said. "We eat frugally, and as much as possible."

Aid organizations have consistently warned that the risk of malnutrition and hunger is high as bakeries are closed, the cost of basic food items skyrockets and the borders remain shut.

Markets are still selling small quantities of vegetables, but these are now unaffordable for most people. Prices have skyrocketed and many Gazans have no more income. A kilogram (2.2 pounds) of tomatoes, a staple in Palestinian kitchens, now costs about 30 shekels (€7 or $7.90). This is compared to 1-3 shekels per kilo before the war. And a kilo of sugar goes for over 60 shekels.

"Our lives now depend entirely on canned food, with the rare exception of some vegetables," the 44-year-old Qatawi said, adding that cooking is a challenge because of the shortage of gas. "There is no wood to light fires, so we burn whatever we can find: clothes, shoes, anything. This is our daily life."

"Never in Gaza's history were we in such a situation," Amjad Shawa, director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO), told DW by phone from Gaza City. "It's a catastrophe"

"We have airstrikes, artillery, attacks on tents, on shelters,"........

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