‘I feel helpless’: Mothers struggle to feed babies as Israeli-made starvation returns

To help her hungry baby fall asleep, Noor Saleem often sings to him.

"Sleep, my love, sleep, and I will spread ostrich feathers for you and bring you Tulumba (fried dough dessert),” she repeats a traditional lullaby to him.  

But as she sings it, the Palestinian mother remembers the Israeli-made starvation she, her baby and hundreds of thousands in north Gaza are enduring.

“I sang it and cried my heart out,” the 32-year-old mother told Middle East Eye. 

“I felt so powerless and helpless to do even the simplest things for my child, like giving him Tulumba.

“I am burning with the feeling of helplessness.”

For over eight months, the Israeli military has imposed a tight siege on the Gaza Strip, severely limiting the flow of life-saving essential food and medical items. 

In recent weeks, Israeli authorities restricted life-saving food deliveries once again, according to residents. 

They say a second hunger crisis is well underway in more dire conditions and with less media coverage. 

Read more: Palestinian mothers struggle to feed babies as Israeli-made starvation returns