Those who survive the trek to food aid sites in Gaza, often end up empty handed. A video recently went viral of a 12-year-old boy in Gaza who ate sand after thieves stole his aid. He talks about the hunger his family faces a month later.

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Middle East Conflict

A 12-year-old boy named Mohamed from northern Gaza has become a symbol of the region's hunger crisis after a video showed him eating sand when thieves stole his food aid. Mohamed's daily life revolves around searching for basic necessities, and he has not attended school for nearly two years. His father expressed shock at the video and hopes for an end to the conflict so his family can live in peace with adequate food and water.

After the video was filmed, a journalist helped Mohamed's family purchase flour from the black market. Gaza authorities report that since the establishment of U.S.-backed aid distribution points, hundreds have died and thousands have been injured while trying to access food. Major international aid agencies have declined to work with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, citing concerns about its adherence to humanitarian principles.

Gaza boy who ate sand in viral video talks about hunger crisis

Hunger is a daily battle for 12-year-old Mohamed. His life in northern Gaza is dominated by the search for food and water. He hasn't been to school for 21 months. His father was disturbed by the video. When I saw that, honestly, I was in shock. I told him, your safety is worth the world. I pray to God that this tragedy will end, that we can live a life in peace, with flour, food, drink and indignity. After filming, the journalist who spoke to Mohamed collected some money for his family. They managed to buy some flour on the black market. I just wish that the war would be over, that we'd have something to drink and eat, that we can learn, that we can study. Gaza authorities say 800 starving people have been killed and thousands wounded, trying to access aid since late May. That's when contentious U.S.-backed aid distribution points run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began operating. On Wednesday, there was a deadly stampede at one of the group's food distribution sites in Hadounis. The U.N. and major international aid agencies have refused to work with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, saying it does not adhere to humanitarian principles.

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Gaza boy who ate sand in viral video talks about hunger crisis

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