**World Central Kitchen Resumes Operations Amid Gaza Crisis**

After a seven-week pause due to Israel’s stringent blockade, World Central Kitchen has resumed its operations in Gaza, attempting to alleviate the dire food situation faced by many families in the enclave. The organization reported that it prepared nearly 10,000 meals on its first day back, amidst ongoing humanitarian concerns and operational challenges.*

World Central Kitchen, the humanitarian organization founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, has officially resumed its meal preparation and distribution efforts in Gaza, following a seven-week hiatus caused by an Israeli blockade that severely restricted aid access.

The charity announced that it successfully prepared approximately 10,000 meals on Saturday, marking its first operational day since receiving much-needed supplies for the teams on the ground. This resumption comes after World Central Kitchen suspended its services on May 7, when it ran out of cooking provisions amidst the months-long blockage of aid deliveries instituted by Israel in March.

Israeli authorities assert that the blockade was crucial in preventing Hamas from acquiring military resources through aid channels. However, such measures have faced intense criticism from various international bodies, including the United Nations, which argue that these restrictions equate to collective punishment and exacerbate the growing hunger crisis in the area. Concerns were raised regarding a lack of evidence supporting claims that Hamas has misappropriated humanitarian aid.

"The halt in our operations was devastating; it cut off a vital source of daily nourishment for families already suffering," stated World Central Kitchen. Since October 2023, the organization has provided over 133 million meals in Gaza, highlighting its significant role in alleviating food insecurity among the local population.

Last year, the group's efforts were also jeopardized when an Israeli airstrike targeted one of its convoys, resulting in the tragic deaths of seven workers and drawing widespread international condemnation. Following the incident, Israel acknowledged lapses in communication and engagement adherence, assigning accountability to military personnel involved.

Presently, many families in Gaza find themselves increasingly reliant on organizations like World Central Kitchen as local staple food supplies dwindle, exacerbated by the unavailability of cooking fuel. Although a new distribution approach endorsed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has allowed some limited supplies into the region since May, overall aid operations remain largely dysfunctional.

"The situation is dire, and urgent interventions are needed," commented a representative from the U.N. World Food Program. "A significant increase in food distributions is essential to stabilize the precarious environment, alleviate fears, and rebuild shattered trust within communities."

Abdel Nasser al-Ajrami, the head of Gaza's bakers' union, reported ongoing disruptions in operations, stating that the lack of control over the chaotic situation makes it nearly impossible to manage bakeries effectively amidst public desperation for resources.