DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Gaza’s food supply crisis has reached a critical point as the World Food Program (WFP) announces the depletion of its food reserves in the Gaza Strip due to an extended Israeli blockade. For many Palestinians, this marks the loss of a crucial food source in the region.
In a recent statement, the WFP confirmed that they delivered their final stocks to various charity kitchens across Gaza. These kitchens, which have been the lifeline for much of the population, are predicted to run out of food within days. According to U.N. data, around 80% of Gaza’s more than 2 million residents depend predominantly on these charity kitchens, primarily due to the shuttering of other food sources under the ongoing Israeli blockade.
The WFP had been instrumental in supporting 47 kitchens that provided approximately 644,000 hot meals daily. Abeer Etefa, a spokesperson for the WFP, emphasized the importance of these kitchens as primary food providers in Gaza. It remains uncertain how many of these kitchens will continue to function after this depletion.
The Israeli blockade, which began on March 2, halted the entry of all essential goods, including food, fuel, and medicine. After a brief ceasefire, hostilities resumed, and Israel intensified its military campaigns, aiming to compel Hamas to release hostages. Rights organizations have criticized the blockade as a “starvation tactic” and alleged it as a potential war crime.
While COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for coordinating Gaza’s aid, refrained from discussing the remaining supplies, it previously mentioned that the area had ample aid during the ceasefire. However, Israel alleges that Hamas diverts aid resources, a claim humanitarian workers refute, noting the U.N.’s stringent monitoring of aid distribution. They argue the aid during the ceasefire barely addressed the massive needs stemming from the prolonged conflict when supplies trickled in.
Gaza’s markets are experiencing severe shortages as the blockade persists. Essential foods like meat, eggs, fruits, and many vegetables have vanished, with remaining items increasing sharply in price, becoming inaccessible for a significant portion of the population. Many families now rely heavily on canned goods to meet their nutritional needs.
Malnutrition rates are climbing rapidly, with the U.N. identifying 3,700 children suffering from acute malnutrition by March, an 80% increase compared to the previous month. However, with dwindling resources, aid organizations managed to supply nutritional supplements to just 22,000 children, a 70% decrease from February. Such supplements are pivotal in preventing malnutrition among the vulnerable.
Most bakeries ceased operations weeks ago, and the WFP halted their food distribution programs due to depleted supplies. Charity kitchens are left serving basic meals like pasta or rice, with limited enhancements.
World Central Kitchen, a major U.S.-based charity in Gaza not reliant on the WFP, reported its protein supplies have been exhausted. They now primarily use canned vegetables to make stews and resort to burning dismantled wooden pallets for cooking fuel. The charity operates the only functioning bakery, producing 87,000 loaves of pita daily.
The WFP is prepared with 116,000 tons of food ready for entry into Gaza if the borders were to open—sufficient to sustain 1 million people for four months.
Israel’s ongoing air and ground offensive has devastated much of Gaza, following an assault by Hamas on October 7, 2023, on southern Israel. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, this campaign has resulted in over 51,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly among women and children, though their reports do not segregate civilian from combatant casualties.
The initial Hamas attack resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties, mainly civilians, and led to the abduction of 251 individuals. Presently, 59 hostages remain in captivity after various releases through ceasefire agreements.