The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a grave warning following the depletion of its food stocks in Gaza, where humanitarian aid deliveries have been blocked by Israel for the past seven weeks. "Today, WFP delivered its last remaining food stocks to hot meals kitchens," the agency stated, adding that these kitchens are projected to completely run out of food in the coming days. Israel initiated the blockade on March 2 and resumed military offensives after a ceasefire collapsed, alleging the need to exert pressure on Hamas to release hostages.
UN Food Aid in Gaza Depleted Amid Israeli Blockade Crisis
UN Food Aid in Gaza Depleted Amid Israeli Blockade Crisis
A humanitarian disaster looms in Gaza as the World Food Programme has exhausted its food aid supplies due to prolonged Israeli blockades.
According to the UN, Israel is obliged under international law to ensure the supply of essentials for Gaza's 2.1 million residents. However, Israel contends that it is operating within legal boundaries, asserting there is no aid shortage. By the end of March, all 25 bakeries supported by the WFP had to close, draining resources of wheat flour and cooking fuel, leading to a complete depletion of food parcels previously issued to families, which contained rations for two weeks.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns of critical shortages in medicine and medical supplies, putting additional strain on hospitals already overwhelmed by casualties due to Israeli bombardments. Fuel shortages are also causing significant disruptions in water production and distribution.
The WFP emphasized that the current blockade, the longest Gaza has ever experienced, has further deteriorated fragile market and food systems. They reported that food prices have skyrocketed by as much as 1,400% compared to levels during the previous ceasefire, posing severe nutrition risks for vulnerable groups including children, pregnant women, and the elderly. While hot meal kitchens have been a vital resource, they are currently meeting only 50% of the population's needs.
The WFP called for immediate action to open aid corridors, stating, "Without urgent action to open borders for aid and trade to enter, WFP's critical assistance may be forced to end." Over 116,000 tonnes of food assistance are currently available at aid corridors, ready to be delivered as soon as Gaza's borders are reopened.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry recently rejected international critiques of the blockade, stating that over 25,000 lorries carrying nearly 450,000 tonnes of aid had entered Gaza during the ceasefire. They claimed monitoring indicated no current aid shortages while accusing Hamas of misappropriating supplies for military purposes.
Hamas has dismissed these allegations and maintained that it has effectively managed aid deliveries. Last week, the group also turned down an Israeli offer for a new ceasefire contingent upon a disarmament demand, asserting it would only consider releasing hostages in exchange for a complete ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The escalating conflict commenced following a large-scale cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, leading to significant casualties, including at least 51,439 reported deaths in Gaza as per the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns of critical shortages in medicine and medical supplies, putting additional strain on hospitals already overwhelmed by casualties due to Israeli bombardments. Fuel shortages are also causing significant disruptions in water production and distribution.
The WFP emphasized that the current blockade, the longest Gaza has ever experienced, has further deteriorated fragile market and food systems. They reported that food prices have skyrocketed by as much as 1,400% compared to levels during the previous ceasefire, posing severe nutrition risks for vulnerable groups including children, pregnant women, and the elderly. While hot meal kitchens have been a vital resource, they are currently meeting only 50% of the population's needs.
The WFP called for immediate action to open aid corridors, stating, "Without urgent action to open borders for aid and trade to enter, WFP's critical assistance may be forced to end." Over 116,000 tonnes of food assistance are currently available at aid corridors, ready to be delivered as soon as Gaza's borders are reopened.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry recently rejected international critiques of the blockade, stating that over 25,000 lorries carrying nearly 450,000 tonnes of aid had entered Gaza during the ceasefire. They claimed monitoring indicated no current aid shortages while accusing Hamas of misappropriating supplies for military purposes.
Hamas has dismissed these allegations and maintained that it has effectively managed aid deliveries. Last week, the group also turned down an Israeli offer for a new ceasefire contingent upon a disarmament demand, asserting it would only consider releasing hostages in exchange for a complete ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The escalating conflict commenced following a large-scale cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, leading to significant casualties, including at least 51,439 reported deaths in Gaza as per the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
