For months, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza have struggled to get food due to shrinking supplies, soaring prices, and Israel’s genocide.
With 15 months of violence depriving most Gazans of their income, community kitchens, or ‘tekia’ (also spelled ‘takiyya’ or ‘tkiya’), have become common, offering soup, stews, and rice, but rarely including chicken or beef.
In an exclusive interview, The New Arab spoke with those behind initiatives like Maftoul for Every House to discuss their efforts to address severe food shortages faced by displaced Palestinians, worsened by the genocide that claimed over 46,500 lives in Gaza.
Empowering women
Focusing on Maftoul, the Palestinian version of couscous made from hand-rolled wheat, project manager Feras Al-Ramlawi told The New Arab that Maftoul for Every House was created out of necessity.
“The overcrowding in southern Gaza and the dire conditions faced by displaced families inspired this initiative. We wanted to address food insecurity while also preserving our cultural heritage by serving Maftoul, a dish deeply rooted in Palestinian traditions,” he explained.
According to Feras, Maftoul for Every House not only helps preserve Palestinian culinary heritage but also supports local vendors and small businesses by sourcing ingredients from them.
He added that the project empowers women by employing displaced widows and female heads of households who lost their income after fleeing the northern Gaza Strip to the shrinking area west of Khan Younis.
Um Emad Hamad, originally from Jordan and now married in Gaza, is one of the women involved in the Maftoul for Every House initiative. Like many others, she has experienced displacement, having fled the southern city of Rafah when Israeli forces invaded the border town in May 2024.
In an unfinished room, Um Emad sits with four women on the ground, rolling and sifting grains by hand in large red bowls. Nearby, burnt cooking pots sit over wood fires, filling the space with steam and smoke.
With a smile on her face, Um Emad spoke proudly of the dish that represents cultural resilience. “Maftoul is a traditional Palestinian dish passed down from our grandmothers and mothers. It’s a beloved meal across all ages and social groups,” she said.
“We’ve stepped away from the usual rice dishes by preparing Maftoul, and we work as a team to make it from scratch, without any modern tools. Everything is done by hand,” she added.
Memories of days before the war
Part of the initiative for nearly a year, Um Emad recalls the intensity of working during Ramadan. “Last Ramadan, we worked every day to provide Maftoul to those fasting, thanks to the support of aid organisations,” she said. “Given the shortage of gas, we cook using firewood, which adds its own challenge.”
Despite the hardships faced during this holy month, Um Emad emphasised that the initiative has been a vital lifeline for survival.
“The initiative provides us with a daily income, which helps support our displaced families. We lack basic necessities, and this project allows us to meet some of those needs,” she explained. “It’s a great relief to know that we’re not just helping others, but also sustaining our own families.”
Weighing in on the relief provided, Hanan Shomar, a mother of three in Deir Al-Balah, told The New Arab that receiving a Maftoul meal from the community kitchen reminded her of better days before the war.
“The smell and taste of Maftoul take me back to the days before 7 October. It reminds me of winters at home when we would spend the whole day preparing this delicious meal together. It always gave us warmth in the cold,” Hanan said.
Project challenges
Like any initiative, there have been challenges, such as limited resources to keep the project running. However, despite these obstacles, the project has thrived, thanks to local markets and support from international organisations.
“We’ve faced severe shortages of flour and basic supplies, but with help from the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund and others, we secured flour, vegetables, and fuel,” Feras shared. “This collaborative effort has enabled us to offer a nutritious, beloved dish to families who can no longer afford even the simplest of meals.”
In addition to limited resources, there have been challenges of operating under strained circumstances.
“The hardest part is the high cost of living, especially with the skyrocketing prices of basic goods. A simple meal now costs around $20, which is far beyond the reach of many families here,” Feras explained, adding:
“But despite these obstacles, we continue to serve our community with dignity, knowing that each meal we provide helps restore a sense of hope and resilience. This is not just about feeding people — it’s about keeping their spirits alive.”
Vision for the future post-ceasefire
Speaking about the future, Feras said that the recent Gaza ceasefire deal and the return of displaced Gazans to the north will not mark the end of Maftoul for Every House. Instead, the initiative will continue its vital work for the displaced, wherever they go.
“We aim to serve them during their time in the shelters, or as long as we have the means to continue,” he said. “If people are relocated to Rafah, we will shift our operations there, as this is the most affected area. Our priority remains supporting those in need.”
Feras also emphasised that empowering women remains at the heart of the initiative.
As he puts it, “Palestinian women are incredibly capable. They work tirelessly, with skill and dedication, often in silence. Through this project, we not only provide food but also give these women the opportunity to shine and support their families.”
Besan Emad is a Gaza-based journalist and a media and translation student. She has experienced multiple displacements with her family in the Gaza Strip
Follow her on X: @Besan17172349
