Gaza: In a rare moment of relief amid a deepening humanitarian crisis, several bakeries supported by the World Food Programme (WFP) have resumed operations in Gaza, according to Cindy McCain, the head of the UN agency. The limited reopening offers a temporary reprieve to thousands of families struggling with extreme food shortages under siege conditions.
McCain confirmed the development in a statement posted on X, noting that while the resumption of bread production is a vital step, the effort remains fragile and far from meeting the vast need. “But we need more wheat flour, more fuel, more safe access – so more ovens can fire back up to feed families desperately in need,” she wrote.
The operational bakeries rely heavily on humanitarian supply corridors that are frequently disrupted by ongoing military actions, logistical blockades, and security risks. In recent weeks, the WFP and other agencies have struggled to deliver essential supplies like flour and cooking fuel due to Israel’s restrictions on aid convoys and the volatile situation on the ground.
These bakeries had been shut down for weeks due to lack of resources and damage caused by Israeli strikes. Now, with limited support and access, a handful have managed to reopen, but the scale remains insufficient to meet the overwhelming demand from a population that is now heavily reliant on humanitarian food assistance.
The reopening of these bakeries also highlights the broader issue of safe access for humanitarian workers and infrastructure. Without consistent and secure supply lines, even functioning facilities remain vulnerable to closure. Aid agencies continue to call for protected humanitarian corridors and a cessation of hostilities to allow for large-scale relief.
Bread remains a staple food in Gaza, and the collapse of the bakery network had significantly intensified food insecurity across the Strip. While the WFP’s efforts mark a small but meaningful step, the agency and others insist that only sustained access and a halt to military escalation can prevent famine and further humanitarian breakdown.
