Background on the Situation in Gaza
Gaza, a densely populated region with approximately 2.3 million inhabitants, has been facing severe challenges since March 2, when Israel completely cut off all supplies. The ongoing blockade has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis, with the World Food Programme (WFP) running out of food supplies and the United Nations reporting at least 78 fatalities in the past 24 hours due to Israeli airstrikes.
The Role of the World Food Programme (WFP)
The WFP, a United Nations agency, announced on Friday that it had exhausted its food reserves for Gaza families due to the closure of border crossings into the enclave. The agency stated that humanitarian and commercial supplies have not entered Gaza for over seven weeks, as major border crossings remain shut, marking the longest blockade Gaza has ever experienced.
Israel’s Stance and Allegations
Israel has previously denied that Gaza is facing a starvation crisis, claiming that Hamas militants exploit aid and must be kept out to prevent them from acquiring it. The Israeli military accuses Hamas of diverting humanitarian supplies for military purposes, a claim Hamas denies.
Impact on Food Supplies and Daily Life
Since March 2, Israel has completely cut off all supplies to the 2.3 million residents of Gaza, depleting food stocks accumulated during a brief ceasefire earlier in the year. The WFP warned that if the aid blockade persisted, it might be compelled to cease its assistance.
- On March 31, 25 panaderías supported by the WFP closed due to a lack of wheat flour and cooking fuel, as food ration packages for two-week periods were exhausted.
- The Gaza government’s media office reported that starvation has transitioned from an imminent threat to a grim reality, with thousands of Palestinian families facing malnutrition and being unable to feed their children.
- Fifty-two people, including 50 children, have died from starvation and malnutrition, while over a million children suffer daily hunger.
Israeli and Gazan Perspectives on Aid Distribution
The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that 25,000 aid trucks had entered Gaza during the 42-day ceasefire period before border closure in early March, alleging that Hamas used the aid to rebuild its military apparatus.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes had resulted in at least 78 deaths across various areas of the enclave within the past 24 hours.
