Maria forgot the shape of food and the colors of fruits.. An American newspaper reveals an example of the tragedy in Gaza.

Journalist Ghada Abdel Fattah addresses the tragedy of children in Gaza in her article, where seven-year-old Maria Al-Faqi suffers from the loss of colors in her life due to the ongoing famine. Maria has endured the effects of two years of war, making her unable to recognize food shapes and fruit colors.

Her mother says that Maria has even forgotten what a pineapple looks like, as she found her a coloring book containing pictures of fruits, but she could not recognize the colors. Statistics indicate that more than 50,000 children have been martyred or injured since the start of the Israeli bombardment on Gaza, reflecting the scale of the humanitarian disaster.

A committee of food security experts, supported by the United Nations, has announced the existence of famine in the city of Gaza and surrounding areas, where half a million people are facing catastrophic conditions. Experts expect the famine to spread to other areas like Deir al-Balah, where Maria and her family live in an overcrowded camp.

Maria's family lives in a refugee camp after losing their home due to the Israeli bombardment, having moved there after their apartment in Jabalia camp was destroyed. The camp, established in 1948, has witnessed significant destruction during the war, exacerbating the suffering of its residents.

The writer describes how the daily life of Maria's family has become filled with difficulties, as Fida, Maria's sister, has to go fetch water from a truck while other families race to obtain water rations. The children here face great challenges, as they go barefoot to fill their containers.

The family continues to struggle to obtain food, as minimal food rations are provided at the community kitchen. Fida expresses her desire for different food, but the situation does not allow for that, increasing their sense of despair.

Islam, Maria's mother, talks about how her daughters' childhoods are fading away due to the harsh conditions. Before the war, Fida was a diligent student, but now she bears the burden of the family. Islam feels that Maria has not lived a normal childhood, as she lacks the simplest necessities of life.

When Maria hears the sound of airstrikes, she feels afraid and seeks her mother's embrace for safety. These moments reflect the impact of war on children's psychology, as they become prisoners of panic and fear.