Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as UN Food Aid Depletes in Gaza

The UN World Food Programme has run out of food supplies in Gaza amidst the longest blockade in its history, exacerbating malnutrition and humanitarian needs as essential aid remains blocked.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a grave warning as it has completely exhausted its food stocks in Gaza, where a prolonged Israeli blockade has persisted for over seven weeks. The WFP stated, “Today, WFP delivered its last remaining food stocks to hot meals kitchens,” indicating that these community kitchens—critical lifelines for approximately one million people—are expected to be fully depleted in the coming days.

This humanitarian crisis deepened after Israel halted aid deliveries on March 2, only to escalate military operations two weeks later, citing the need to pressure Hamas for the release of hostages. The UN contends that Israel is required under international law to guarantee access to necessary supplies for the 2.1 million residents of Gaza, a claim that Israel disputes by asserting compliance with these obligations and denying any aid shortage.

As of late March, operations at the 25 bakeries backed by WFP came to a halt due to a lack of wheat flour and cooking fuel, further depleting food supplies as two-week family rations also ran out. The rising malnutrition rates are particularly alarming, with recent screenings identifying significant cases of acute malnutrition among children, doubling since earlier assessments.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed widespread shortages of medical resources, directly impacting hospitals strained under the weight of casualties from ongoing bombardments. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, labeled the situation in Gaza as “an awful and grim moment,” urging the immediate lifting of the aid blockade to save lives.

The WFP noted that the current blockade is unprecedented in its length and has severely impacted Gaza's already fragile food systems and markets. Prices for basic foods have surged by as much as 1,400% since the ceasefire, prompting fears over nutrition, particularly for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, young children, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.

“People are running out of ways to cope, and the fragile gains made during the short ceasefire have unraveled,” stated the WFP, emphasizing an urgent need for action to facilitate humanitarian aid and trade access. The agency has stockpiled over 116,000 tonnes of food distributed across aid corridors, ready for immediate delivery once Gaza's border crossings are reopened.

In the interim, WFP's Country Director Antoine Renard highlighted the plight of the local population, noting a displacement crisis that has uprooted more than 80% of residents since March 18, when hostilities resumed. Those specifically relying on the kitchens have predominantly been receiving only a fraction of their daily nutritional needs.

The humanitarian manager for the Norwegian Refugee Council, Gavin Kelleher, warned of dire measures taken by families to survive, from bartering essential items for food to deepening cycles of desperation, including begging.

Recently, the Israeli foreign ministry dismissed international criticism surrounding the blockade, maintaining that humanitarian resources have been adequately supplied and that there was no legitimacy in claims of aid shortages. Hamas, meanwhile, has denied assertions of misappropriating aid and rejected an Israeli ceasefire proposal that included conditions regarding disarmament.

This ongoing military conflict began following a devastating cross-border attack on October 7, resulting in significant casualties. According to reports from Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, approximately 51,439 people have died since the escalation began.