Cheese Shortage: 'We Went Back to the Cheese Age'

By Matina Stevis-Gridneff, Hiba Yazbek, Abu Bakr Bashir, Ameera Harouda, Samar Abu Elouf and Yousef Masoud Not really

In the midst of the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, the people of Gaza are facing another crisis - a severe cheese shortage. With limited access to resources and the constant fear of bombings, the shortage of basic food items has become a harsh reality for the residents of the Gaza Strip. The situation has led locals to reminisce about simpler times, dubbing the current era as the "Cheese Age."

As the conflict continues to escalate, the availability of essential supplies, including food, has drastically declined. The fragile infrastructure, disrupted supply chains, and limited access to fresh produce have exacerbated the problem. The absence of cheese has caught many Gazans by surprise as it is a staple ingredient in their traditional cuisine.

The scarcity of cheese does not merely affect the taste of their dishes, but also poses a threat to the nutritional needs of the population. Cheese is an important source of protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients. Its absence in the daily diet could result in health issues for a vulnerable population already grappling with the challenges of conflict.

The impact of the cheese shortage has also highlighted the underlying issues of water and conservation of resources in the region. Producing cheese requires significant amounts of water, which is already in limited supply in Gaza.