She is wearing a thin pink jumper. She is 12 years old. Carrying two buckets filled with water in both hands, she walks along Gaza’s broken, uneven roads, surrounded by rubble, dust and debris. The girl, named Jana, is searching for food and water.

Jana Mohammed Khalil Musleh Al-Skefi said that more than a year ago, an Israeli sniper killed her older brother. Since then, she has taken responsibility for collecting food and drinking water for her family, as her parents are in poor health.

While waiting in a water distribution line in Gaza City, Jana told CNN she tries to stay strong so her elderly father, who has heart disease, does not have to carry the heavy water buckets. She fears the strain could worsen his condition.

To spare him, the young girl carries the heavy buckets home herself. The effort leaves her fingers red and her clothes soaked with water, now an extremely precious resource in Gaza.

Since the war began on 7 October, finding food and water has become increasingly difficult. The situation has worsened further after a prolonged blockade on aid entering Gaza. A UN-backed report earlier this month said one in five people in Gaza is facing severe food shortages, and the territory is at risk of a humanitarian crisis.

Access to clean water has also become more limited, with restrictions affecting water purification and desalination equipment. Israel says such materials could potentially be used for military purposes.

Jana said it can take hours just to fill one bucket, and sometimes people leave empty-handed. She described the experience as frightening and exhausting.

Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported that dozens of children have died due to malnutrition since the conflict escalated. Among them was Jana’s niece, Janat, who struggled with health complications linked to lack of nutrition and medical supplies.

Her mother said the baby initially grew well but later suffered dehydration and illness amid shortages of infant formula and medicine. Despite searching hospitals and pharmacies, the family could not find the specialised nutrition needed.

Doctors said the child’s condition deteriorated due to complications related to malnutrition and illness. Her mother said she appealed for help but could not secure the necessary treatment.

The situation highlights the severe humanitarian challenges facing families in Gaza, where shortages of food, water and medical supplies continue to affect daily life.