Amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip caused by 18 months of war and a strict Israeli blockade, desperate families have turned to consuming sea turtles as a rare source of protein. In Khan Yunis, 61-year-old Majida Qanan has prepared turtle meat for her displaced family multiple times due to the unavailability and unaffordability of basic food items. Sea turtles, although endangered and protected internationally, are being caught and consumed due to extreme scarcity.
Fisherman Abdel Halim Qanan described the decision as a last resort in the face of famine, with turtles slaughtered according to Islamic rites. The UN and aid organizations have warned that famine is rapidly unfolding across Gaza, where over 2.4 million people are facing dire conditions, including starvation, due to restricted humanitarian access.
