Gaza : The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) announced on Friday that it has exhausted its food supplies in Gaza, nearly two months after Israel enforced a humanitarian blockade on the enclave.
The WFP reported that it delivered its final stocks to community kitchens earlier in the day, warning that the kitchens will soon run out of food. “For many in Gaza, these hot meal kitchens have been the only reliable source of nourishment,” the agency said. Despite only reaching around half of Gaza’s population and meeting just a quarter of daily food needs, the kitchens have been crucial for survival, it added.
Israel imposed the blockade on March 2, halting the entry of food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid to Gaza’s more than 2 million residents. Israeli authorities say the measures, along with intensified military operations, are designed to pressure Hamas into accepting a ceasefire proposal backed by the United States.
"If we don't make progress on the return of hostages, we will step up our operations significantly," said Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir during a visit to Gaza on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the United States has indicated it will not pressure Israel to ease the blockade. Earlier this week, new US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said on social media that a United Nations World Health Organization official had urged him to advocate for reopening Gaza’s borders. "The real pressure should be on Hamas," Huckabee wrote.
Humanitarian groups say the situation in Gaza is becoming catastrophic. The Palestine Red Crescent Society warned of looming famine, citing severe shortages of basic commodities like flour, sugar, and cooking oil.
The WFP said that over 116,000 metric tons of food are currently stalled at aid corridors just outside Gaza. The supplies, enough to feed a million people for up to four months, are ready for distribution as soon as border access is granted.
“The humanitarian situation in Gaza has again reached a critical breaking point,” the WFP stated. “People are running out of options, and the limited progress made during the temporary ceasefire has collapsed.”
