UN Warns of Starvation in Gaza Amid Israeli Blockade

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) declared it has run out of food in Gaza after Israel’s eight-week blockade, putting more than 400,000 people at risk of starvation. This week, the last remaining food from the WFP programme was delivered to community kitchens and meals provided are now expected to run out in days. While the basic food price increased by 1,400%, the vast majority of families cannot afford the basics at all now. The WFP has warned they may have to stop operation completely without immediate unfettered access to deliver aid.

Gaza's media office reported that at least 52 Palestinians, including 50 children, have died from hunger or malnutrition. In addition, there are more than a million children suffering from severe food insecurity and the aid kitchens are now too weak to provide a quarter of the daily caloric needs for only half the population. Al-Jazeera reported extreme levels of desperation; one family is rationing down to stale bread and water. All 25 of the WFP-supported bakeries have shut down (as of March) because of shortages in flour and fuel.

Israel has claimed the blockade is needed because it claims, without substantiation, Hamas diverted aid, which was denied by Hamas. Germany, France, and the UK, spoke out jointly against the siege, describing it as “intolerable” and warned of mass starvation. The UN accused Israel of collective punishment, not just in the loss of lives, but specifically in the destruction of water systems, driving ambulances, and 36 relief vehicles targeted in their latest air strikes. There has been more than 116,000 metric tons of aid stockpiled and unused at multiple borders.

Israeli airstrikes have killed 1,900 Palestinians since March 18, targeting 229 homes and 91 displacement camps. Settler violence and military raids are mounting in the West Bank prompting fears of forced displacement. Meanwhile, negotiations for a ceasefire remain stalled as Hamas continues to insist on the full withdrawal of Israel and Israel continues to offer only temporary ceasefire negotiations for hostage releases.

The WFP is requesting immediate access to aid, stating supplies are “ready to move” if corridors are reopened. “Respect the needs of civilians,” it said, reiterating the UN’s calls to comply with international law. As Gaza's survival as a region hangs in the balance, global pressure is mounting to end what aid groups are calling a man-made famine.