Struggling for Survival: Gaza Journalists Share Their Dire Reality

Freelance journalists in Gaza are living through unprecedented hardships, facing food scarcity and personal loss while striving to report on the war that ravages their home. They narrate their struggle to provide for their families amidst a declared humanitarian emergency.

Three trusted freelance journalists working for the BBC in Gaza have voiced their harrowing experiences amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis, revealing that they often go without food for days while documenting the war’s toll on their lives and families. Despite the devastating circumstances, these journalists have relentlessly continued to capture crucial footage even as they endure immense personal grief and loss.

One journalist recalled being severely injured by shrapnel from Israeli bombing in the past but stated that the ongoing crisis is the most challenging time of his life. He described it as a "huge crisis of suffering and deprivation." Although global food security experts have yet to classify the situation in Gaza as an official famine, warnings of man-made starvation have been issued by UN agencies, which have attributed the crisis to Israel's control of essential supplies entering the territory.

In light of their alarming situation, these journalists, who have chosen to remain unnamed for safety reasons, shared their deepest concerns: the inability to provide for their young and vulnerable loved ones. One journalist, a father of four, described his son with autism’s struggles to communicate his needs, resorting to signaling his hunger by hitting his stomach, a heartbreaking manifestation of desperation.

The BBC, along with various news agencies, has expressed urgent concern for the safety and well-being of local journalists in Gaza. They emphasize that these freelance reporters have become invaluable eyes and ears on the ground, documenting the crisis alongside their affected communities. The statement shared by the news organizations highlighted their worrying reality, stating, “they are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering.”

Currently, food scarcity remains a critical issue for many families. Conditions have worsened, with reports indicating that even those receiving salaries from outside can no longer procure basic supplies as local markets have dwindled. One journalist shared that his family has resorted to relying on charity kitchens, often receiving little more than a single meal of rice or lentils daily. With limited access to clean drinking water and rising prices for even minor food items, survival has become a daunting challenge.

Another journalist noted the battle for cash amidst a failing financial system, where banking closures and high withdrawal fees add to the suffering, complicating their already dire circumstances. The process is an added level of exhaustion for those trying to provide for their loved ones.

Since the war escalated on October 7, 2023, journalists have found it increasingly difficult to access Gaza, with authorities limiting movement in and out of the territory. Despite prior conditions allowing reporters to travel freely, the current circumstances have forced many into confined and perilous situations.

A joint statement from 28 countries, including the UK, recently called for an immediate end to the war, urging Israel to comply with international obligations while acknowledging that humanitarian aid has been critically insufficient.

As they struggle to navigate survival and ensure their families’ well-being, the journalists are acutely aware of the importance of their reporting. One journalist encapsulated the grave situation, stating, "Hunger has reached every home," summing up the harsh reality that impacts all aspects of life in Gaza today.