Gaza’s humanitarian situation has reached a critical point, with bakeries set to run out of flour within a week, according to United Nations (UN) warnings. The region, already under severe strain, is facing an impending food shortage as aid agencies have been forced to reduce food distribution by half. Markets are empty of fresh produce, and ongoing Israeli bombardments are hindering aid workers’ ability to move supplies to the needy.
Israel has enforced a total blockade on Gaza for the past four weeks, cutting off essential supplies such as food, fuel, and medical aid to the more than two million residents. The blockade, now the longest in Israel’s 17-month military campaign against Hamas, shows no signs of being lifted. Humanitarian groups have expressed concerns about an imminent increase in hunger and malnutrition, warning that local food production has been destroyed by the ongoing conflict.
Shorouq Shamlakh, a mother of three, described her reliance on the UN’s food distribution system, saying, “If this closes, who else will provide us with food?” According to the World Food Programme (WFP), flour stocks in Gaza will run out by Tuesday, leaving 800,000 people without bread. If food aid does not resume, the region could run out of supplies in two weeks.
Meanwhile, hospitals are rationing vital medicines, and aid organizations are faced with impossible choices regarding the distribution of scarce fuel. The surge in food prices has made life even more difficult, with a kilo of onions now costing $14 and tomatoes priced at $6 per kilo.
Despite increasing international criticism, Israel has not eased the blockade. Rights groups condemn the siege as a “starvation policy,” accusing it of exacerbating the suffering of civilians. As desperation grows among Gaza’s population, aid groups are struggling to maintain essential services, and children’s nutrition programs have been halted due to the risks of moving aid workers. The world watches, as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens.
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