The Gaza Strip is currently experiencing a severe famine, with a critical shortage of fuel halting bread production in all 130 bakeries. The World Food Program has indicated that due to the ongoing Israeli aggression, only a fraction of the required food supplies are reaching Gaza, leading to widespread hunger. Nearly the entire population now urgently requires food aid, with supplies of food and water being scarce.
Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, highlighted the dire situation, emphasizing the need for additional safe corridors for humanitarian aid. The approaching winter, unsafe shelters, and a lack of clean water exacerbate the risk of starvation.
Samer Abdel Jaber, UNDP Representative in Palestine, underscored the challenges in transporting food due to security threats, which have brought life in Gaza to a near halt. The fuel shortage has particularly impacted bread production, a staple for Gaza’s residents, making it rare or unavailable.
Since October 7, Israel has restricted access to essential resources like water, food, medicine, electricity, and fuel to Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, worsening already dire conditions due to a long-standing siege. The ongoing Israeli aggression, marked by land, sea, and air attacks for over 43 days, has resulted in over 12,000 deaths, including many children and women, and injured more than 30,000.
This situation represents a clear violation of international humanitarian law and human rights, endangering civilian lives and causing immense suffering. There is an urgent call for international intervention to cease the aggression and safeguard civilians in Gaza.
