The death toll in Gaza has exceeded 30,000 and is growing. Protests in support of Palestine rage around the world, yet plans for a ceasefire are shaky at best. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to commit billions to what most other countries consider a genocide. In times like these, it’s easy to feel helpless, but if history has proven one thing, it’s that dark times inspire beauty in surprising ways. It reminds us of what matters most and shows us just how resilient the human spirit can be.
For months, aid packages have been the primary source of food as the Israeli military has been blocking entry into Gaza. Hamada Shaqoura is a Palestinian food blogger and resident of Gaza that cooks meals for local children using food from aid packages. Hoping to inspire others to use the ingredients creatively, he recently began sharing videos of himself cooking meals on Instagram.
Before being displaced, Hamada ran a food blog and informed locals on which restaurants to try and dishes to taste. The blog served as a window into Palestinian culture and their relationship with food, helping to shed light on a people who have a rich history that’s often overlooked.
“Before the aggression, I was a food blogger. Trying and tasting new food and recipes was my hobby and I was working on it. In addition, it was a source of income for me. I used to work in marketing through social media platforms for projects, especially restaurants. Food has always been a big part of my life,” Hamada shares.
To make matters worse, food aid packages are first-come-first-serve, inconsistent, and don’t offer the most nutritious options. Displaced Palestinians must make due with whatever a package contains, like one Hamada found during Ramadan with dates, various canned goods, coffee, seasoning packets, pasta noodles, cooking oil, and others. In a March 29 post, the contents of another aid package included chocolate bars and canned meat, veggies, and beans. Some markets still carry seasoning and spices, which Hamada says is very expensive.
“[Food aid packages are] good, but insufficient in terms of nutritional value or quantity, and cannot be relied upon, especially since it is difficult to obtain and cannot be obtained on a regular basis,” Hamada says.
Since transitioning from traditional food blogging, Hamada has come up with lots of inventive ways to spruce up food aid ingredients. The best part is when he walks around to share food with local children, who beam with gratitude. Hamada prepares dishes in a humble setting, atop a makeshift surface that sits low to the ground. He doesn’t use fancy cookware, and doesn’t have access to a professional kitchen. In less than a few months, his Instagram followers have skyrocketed, which is further proof of how powerful his message is. There’s a deeper purpose behind the food he cooks.
Every week, Hamada shares new videos on his Instagram. He and his wife have launched a fundraiser with the aim of evacuating Gaza. The couple, who got married just two months before the onset of the war last October 7, have been displaced three times, witnessing the destruction of their house, studio, and all their possessions. Hamada's wife is currently pregnant and expected to give birth in a few months. Their hope is to gather enough funds to ensure a normal life for their future child. Additionally, the raised funds will assist Hamada's parents and sisters. You can express your support by following him on Instagram and spreading awareness about their cause.
“I want the world to know that we in Gaza are creative, but we need real opportunities. And that this aggression must end,” Hamada concludes.
