In brief
The World Food Programme (WFP) has run out of food stocks in Gaza, announcing that its hot meals kitchens are expected to cease operations as both the Israeli blockade and rising food prices exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has disclosed that it has exhausted its food supplies in Gaza, with its last remaining stocks delivered to hot meals kitchens on Friday, as a blockade imposed by Israel stretches into its seventh week. "These kitchens are likely to be entirely out of food in the coming days," the agency warned. The blockade, initiated on March 2, was intensified after a two-month ceasefire collapsed, with Israel asserting its efforts were aimed at pressuring Hamas to release hostages.Despite claims from Israel that it is complying with international law, the United Nations insists that Israel has a responsibility to provide for the over 2.1 million Palestinians in Gaza. As of late March, the situation deteriorated significantly; all 25 WFP-supported bakeries had to shut down due to a lack of essential supplies like wheat flour and cooking fuel. Additionally, food parcels meant to sustain families for two weeks have been fully distributed.According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), there is an alarming shortage of medical supplies and equipment in overwhelmed hospitals struggling with casualties from ongoing Israeli bombardments. Severe fuel shortages are complicating water production and distribution efforts in the region.The WFP's warning comes as the blockade marks the most extended closure Gaza has experienced, crippling already fragile food markets and leading to a staggering rise in food prices—some essential items have seen increases of up to 1,400% compared to pre-blockade conditions. This poses grave nutritional risks for vulnerable groups, including young children, pregnant women, and the elderly.Currently, hot meals kitchens provide minimal support, reaching only half of the population and fulfilling just 25% of daily food requirements. "The situation inside the Gaza Strip has reached a critical juncture," WFP emphasized, calling urgently for the reopening of borders to allow humanitarian aid to flow into the region.WFP highlighted that more than 116,000 tonnes of food assistance, adequate to nourish one million people for up to four months, is available at aid corridors and ready for delivery, pending a reopening of Gaza's borders. Earlier this week, the Israeli foreign ministry dismissed critiques of the blockade from European nations, maintaining that sufficient aid had entered Gaza during the ceasefire.The ministry insisted that Israeli operations aimed against Hamas ensure that aid is not compromised, refuting notions of a humanitarian crisis in the region. In contrast, Hamas denied allegations of misappropriating aid and reiterated its demand for the release of all hostages in exchange for a cessation of hostilities.The military campaign, launched by Israel following a deadly cross-border incursion by Hamas on October 7, 2023—which resulted in significant casualties—continues to escalate. As the violence persists, the toll in Gaza reportedly exceeds 51,000 fatalities according to figures from Hamas-run health authorities.
