The World Food Programme has exhausted its food reserves in the Gaza Strip during Israel’s nearly eight-week blockade, terminating a vital source of sustenance for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. The WFP announced that it has distributed its final stocks to supported charity kitchens across Gaza, which are expected to deplete their supplies within days.
According to the UN, approximately 80% of Gaza’s population exceeding 2 million depends primarily on charity kitchens for sustenance, as other sources have ceased operations under Israel’s blockade. WFP spokesperson Abeer Etefa informed the Associated Press that they have been supporting 47 kitchens, providing 644,000 hot meals daily.
The operational status of remaining kitchens in Gaza following the closure of WFP-supported facilities remains unclear. However, Etefa indicated that the WFP-backed kitchens constitute the primary food distribution centres in Gaza.
Israel halted the entry of food, fuel, medicine and other supplies to Gaza on March 2, resuming bombardment and ground operations fortnight later, disrupting a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.
Israel maintains these measures aim to secure the release of remaining hostages. Rights groups have labelled the blockade a ‘starvation tactic’ and a potential war crime.
With supply chains severed, numerous food items have vanished from markets, including meat, eggs, fruits, dairy products and vegetables. Price inflation has rendered remaining items unaffordable for many residents, forcing families to rely predominantly on canned goods.
Malnutrition rates have increased significantly. The UN reported 3,700 children suffering from acute malnutrition in March, representing an 80% increase from February. Aid organisations could only provide nutritional supplements to approximately 22,000 children in March, marking a 70% reduction from February.
Most bakeries have ceased operations, and WFP halted basic food distribution due to depleted supplies. Charity kitchens now primarily serve basic pasta or rice meals due to ingredient shortages.
World Central Kitchen, a prominent US charity operating independently from WFP, reported on Thursday that their kitchens lack proteins, resulting in vegetable-based stews using canned ingredients. They utilise wooden pallets for fuel and operate Gaza’s sole functioning bakery, producing 87,000 pita loaves daily.
WFP indicates readiness to transport 116,000 tonnes of food into Gaza, sufficient to sustain 1 million people for four months, pending Israeli border access.
Israel’s air and ground operations have extensively damaged Gaza in its campaign to eliminate Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel. While the October 7 militant attack resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities on Israeli side, Gaza’s health ministry reports over 51,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children.
Hamas had made 251 abductions during the attack in 2023. Following ceasefire-negotiated releases, 59 hostages remain captive.
