Hungry Gazans Eat Wild Plant to Survive

Hungry Gazans Eat Wild Plant to Survive

　　The United Nations Security Council is demanding an immediate¹ ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

　　Some members are concerned that a famine might have begun.

　　The territory's civilians² are reportedly eating a wild plant called Khobiza because they lack other food to eat. The plant is an herb known as mallow.

　　The Palestinian area has faced five months of war following the October attack on Israel by its Hamas rulers. Israeli officials say the terrorist group killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages.

　　Israel responded to the attack by launching air strikes and shelling in Gaza. Hamas' health officials in Gaza say 32,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict. It is the worst conflict between Israel and Hamas.

　　"All our lives -- even through (previous) wars -- we have not eaten Khobiza," said a Palestinian woman named Maryam Al-Attar.

　　She said, "My daughters tell me, 'We want to eat bread, mother.' My heart breaks for them."

　　Al-Attar continued, "I can't find a piece of bread for them. I go and gather some Khobiza. We have found Khobiza for now, but in the future, where will we get it from? Khobiza will run out. Where do we turn?"

　　The war is continuing during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Millions of Muslims around the world enjoy big meals after sunset with their families and watch special television shows.

　　"We have been consumed by hunger. We have nothing to eat. We crave³ vegetables, fish, and meat. We fast with empty stomachs. We can no longer fast. We are dizzy from hunger," said Umm Mohamed. She said there was nothing to help the body deal with fasting during Ramadan.

　　The Integrated Food-Security Phase Classification (IPC) is a website that examines food and security. It says famine is likely to begin by May in northern Gaza. A severe lack of food could spread across the rest of the area by July.

　　Reports say that Khobiza will only provide temporary help. The aid situation for Gaza is also not clear. Negotiators are working on the terms of a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

　　Recently, an Israeli government spokesperson said Israel will stop working with the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the Gaza strip. It is the largest aid group in Gaza. Israel says the aid agency is causing the conflict to go on longer.

　　Israel in January accused 12 of UNRWA's 13,000 workers in Gaza of taking part in the October 7 attack. That led several donor⁴ countries to stop giving financial support to the group.

　　UNRWA dismissed some of its workers. It said it acted in order to protect the agency's ability to provide aid in Gaza. And an independent internal U.N. investigation⁵ was launched.

　　Words in This Story

　　famine – n. a situation in which many people do not have enough food to eat

　　respond – v. to do something as a reaction to something that has happened or been done

　　consumed – adj. to take all of a person's attention, energy, or time

　　crave – v. to have a very strong desire for (something)

　　dizzy – adj. feeling that you are turning around in circles and are going to fall although you are standing still

1 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

2 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

3 crave   

vt.渴望得到，迫切需要，恳求，请求

参考例句：

• Many young children crave attention.许多小孩子渴望得到关心。
• You may be craving for some fresh air.你可能很想呼吸呼吸新鲜空气。

4 donor   

n.捐献者；赠送人；(组织、器官等的)供体

参考例句：

• In these cases,the recipient usually takes care of the donor afterwards.在这类情况下，接受捐献者以后通常会照顾捐赠者。
• The Doctor transplanted the donor's heart to Mike's chest cavity.医生将捐赠者的心脏移植进麦克的胸腔。

5 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。