In brief
Gaza's humanitarian crisis deepens as the UN World Food Programme has issued a stark warning that it no longer has food supplies, affecting the lives of millions amid ongoing Israeli restrictions.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has announced the exhaustion of its food supplies in Gaza, where an Israeli blockade has impeded humanitarian aid deliveries for seven weeks. On Friday, the organization provided its last food stocks to community kitchens. The WFP indicated that these kitchens, which serve around one million hot meals daily, are set to run out of food imminently.The blockade, which began on March 2, followed the end of a two-month ceasefire and was enforced by Israel to increase pressure on Hamas concerning the release of hostages. The UN stresses that Israel is required by international law to facilitate access to supplies for the 2.1 million residents of Gaza. However, Israeli officials assert they are complying with international obligations and deny any claims of a food crisis.In March, all 25 bakeries supported by WFP in Gaza had to close due to a lack of wheat flour and cooking fuel, further exacerbating the situation. The UN has reported soaring cases of malnutrition, revealing that over 80 children screened in northern Gaza were found to be suffering from acute malnutrition, a steep rise compared to prior weeks.The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported severe shortages of medicine and medical supplies, while fuel shortages critically hinder water supply and sanitation efforts. World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the conditions in Gaza as reaching a "grim moment," stating, "This aid blockade must end. Lives depend on it."The WFP indicated that the current blockade is the most prolonged Gaza has ever experienced, leading to drastic increases in food prices—some up by as much as 1,400% compared to the ceasefire period. These alarming price hikes have raised concerns about nutrition and food security, especially for vulnerable groups like children, pregnant women, and the elderly. "We're at a breaking point: people have run out of coping mechanisms. Without urgent intervention to permit humanitarian aid and trade, WFP's assistance could completely cease," the agency underscored. Currently, over 116,000 tons of food aid, sufficient for feeding one million people for four months, is positioned at aid corridors and awaits the reopening of Gaza’s borders for delivery.WFP Country Director Antoine Renard stated that the ongoing conflict has displaced over 80% of the population. Since March 18, following a renewed offensive, more than 400,000 individuals have been displaced yet again. The community kitchens, crucial for providing meals, are now struggling as they only reach half of the affected population, covering merely 25% of daily food needs. As food stocks deplete, humanitarian access manager with the Norwegian Refugee Council, Gavin Kelleher, reported people resorting to bartering essential goods and selling personal belongings for cash to secure food. Desperation among Gazans has risen significantly, with an increase in begging unprecedented in recent times.Despite receiving criticism from countries like the UK, France, and Germany for the blockade, the Israeli government has asserted that it has facilitated a significant flow of aid into Gaza during the ceasefire. Israeli officials contend that aid is restricted due to concerns over Hamas allegedly misappropriating these supplies.Concurrently, Hamas has rejected an Israeli ceasefire proposal that entailed disarming in exchange for a paused military campaign and the release of hostages. The ongoing hostilities began after a cross-border assault on October 7, 2023, leading to substantial fatalities on both sides. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, at least 51,439 people have died since the escalation of violence began.
