'Israel' destroys Gaza bakeries; UNRWA warns of catastrophic shortages

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
28 Oct 2023 08:43
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International organizations have warned of an impending catastrophe in Gaza as food and fuel supplies dwindle.

A cart pulled by a donkey moves past the Al Nuseirat Bakery that was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Nusseirat refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, October 18, 2023. (AP)

Israeli bombs have targeted and destroyed 10 out of 50 bakeries supported by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

The UN agency has warned against "catastrophic" food shortages due to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip caused by Israeli policies.

Importantly, "Israel's" refusal to allow fuel into the Gaza Strip has resulted in operational difficulties for the Agency's vehicles which transport flour to the remaining bakeries in the besieged Strip.

A total blackout!
You are witnessing an Israeli genocide against innocent #Palestinians in the #Gaza Strip. pic.twitter.com/6UCZPGm55E
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 27, 2023

It is worth noting that the 40 remaining bakeries are responsible for providing bread for more than 2 million Palestinians who currently live in dire conditions due to the 21-day tightened siege.

People in Gaza line up for long hours to receive bread, which has become the main source of nutrition for hundreds of thousands of people.

The UNRWA centers currently host more than 600,000 people, three times the intended capacity for the shelters, as families cramp up in unsanitary conditions due to the lack of water. "Israel's" government has also cut off water from Gaza, an action that amounts to a war crime.

Bakeries lack fuel to operate

Additionally, the World Food Programme (WFP) stated that among the bakeries it supplies flour to, only two have the needed fuel to keep their services running.

The two operating bakeries are currently producing six times their expected output due to the severity of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Moreover, a spokesperson of the WFP highlighted a drop in the output of bread provided by the organization. The WFP had been supplying 200,000 people with bread, however, that number shrunk to 150,000 on Wednesday, meaning that the WFP's output dropped by 25%.

"Tens of thousands of people rely on small bakeries to find a loaf of bread to bring back to their families. People risk their lives and queue for hours, but they often go home empty-handed," the spokesperson revealed.

The organization also shed light on the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in the Strip, as" food and water are running out, shelters for displaced people are massively overcrowded and, without fuel, there is no electricity."

In an attempt to hide its crimes, "Israel" cut off all means of communication, officially isolating #Gaza from the world.

The extent of damage and the death toll cannot be ascertained. #Palestine pic.twitter.com/FRUxMGFpH0
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) October 28, 2023

Regardless of the availability of fuel, the bombardment of civilian infrastructure and the tightened siege have also led to shortages of food supplies as around 10% of the shops affiliated with the WFP had run out of food while others have five days' worth of goods left.

This coincides with the unprecedented Israeli bombing of the Strip and deliberate strikes that cut off communication networks in Gaza, while occupation forces are attempting to launch limited ground incursions into the Strip, and failing repeatedly.