In brief
The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced that it has run out of food supplies in Gaza, where Israeli restrictions have hindered humanitarian aid for an extended period.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) stated it has exhausted its food stocks in Gaza, announcing the delivery of its last food supplies to hot meal kitchens on Friday. As these kitchens are expected to run out of food imminently, there are growing fears for the 2.1 million Palestinians facing severe hunger. The blockade, which began on March 2, intensified following the end of a two-month ceasefire aimed at negotiating the release of hostages located in Gaza. Despite international legal obligations that require Israel to facilitate the supply of essential goods, Israeli officials have asserted compliance with such laws and have claimed no significant aid shortages exist.Previous reports indicate that by the end of March, all bakeries supported by the WFP ceased operations due to a lack of wheat flour and cooking fuel. Additionally, food parcels meant to provide two weeks' worth of rations to families have been completely exhausted. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that these conditions are not only leading to food shortages but are also impacting access to medical supplies, affecting hospitals already overwhelmed with casualties from ongoing bombardments. Fuel shortages have further hindered the production and distribution of potable water in the area.The WFP has identified the ongoing blockade as the longest in Gaza’s history, which has led to skyrocketing food prices—some increasing by 1,400% since the ceasefire. This is creating dire nutritional concerns for particularly vulnerable populations, inclusive of young children, pregnant women, and the elderly.The hot meal kitchens previously acted as a crucial support system, but they are currently reaching just half of the population and fulfilling only a quarter of their daily nutritional needs. In dire terms, the WFP warned the situation in Gaza has reached a breaking point, with residents running out of coping mechanisms. It stressed the need for urgent action to allow aid to flow back into Gaza, calling on all parties to prioritize civilian needs and adhere to international humanitarian requirements.Despite this alarming scenario, over 116,000 tonnes of food assistance remain positioned at aid corridors and ready for delivery, pending Israel's reopening of border crossings to facilitate the movement of aid. This week, the Israeli foreign ministry has dismissed criticism of its blockade from nations like the UK, France, and Germany, stating that over 25,000 trucks carrying nearly 450,000 tonnes of aid were successfully allowed into Gaza during the ceasefire. They further asserted that no obligation exists for Israel to permit aid entry due to allegations of Hamas misappropriating supplies for military purposes.Additionally, Hamas has denied claims of stealing aid and emphasized that the UN has maintained rigorous custody over the aid it distributes. In a recent development, Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal for a renewed ceasefire that included conditions for disarmament and the conditional release of hostages.The ongoing conflict has taken a tragic toll on the residents of Gaza, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting over 51,000 fatalities since the conflict escalated following a major cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the abduction of 251 individuals.
