No food has entered northern Gaza since start of October: CNN
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By October, the WFP confirmed that no food trucks had reached northern Gaza, forcing the suspension of food parcel distributions and escalating fears of region-wide famine.
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Displaced Palestinians at a food distribution center in Deir al Balah, central Gaza Strip, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. (AP)
The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued an urgent warning, reporting that no food has entered northern Gaza since the start of October, leaving over one million people at risk of severe hunger.
This development follows months of dwindling aid deliveries, with the number of trucks entering northern Gaza falling from 700 in August to just 400 in September due to the closure of commercial operations at the Allenby Crossing.
By October, the WFP confirmed that no food trucks had reached northern Gaza, forcing the suspension of food parcel distributions and escalating fears of region-wide famine.
"Hunger remains rampant and the threat of famine persists," the WFP said in a statement. "If the flow of assistance does not resume, one million vulnerable people will be deprived of this lifeline."
Read more: Famine has spread across Gaza Strip, UN experts declare
Adding to the dire situation, two major bakeries in central Gaza—al-Banna Bakery and Zadna Bakery—have been forced to close for three days due to a shortage of flour and fuel, local workers told CNN.
These bakeries, which are supported by the WFP, are essential providers of bread, a staple food for many Palestinians.
Ahmad Abed, an employee at Al-Banna Bakery, described the impact: "I am the head of a family of six. The day I work, I can feed my family. The day I don’t, we don’t eat. People are chasing flour, and we go to bakeries searching for where bread is available."
Amjad Al-Shawa, Director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network, spoke of the severity of the situation, noting that most people in Gaza depend on humanitarian aid.
"The shortage of flour and production materials has led to the closure of essential bakeries, putting many at risk of hunger and famine," he told CNN.
Bread has become a crucial necessity for Palestinians since the war began over a year ago.
However, the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) recently reported that September saw the lowest level of commercial and humanitarian supplies entering Gaza since March 2024.
Read more: Demolition, ongoing siege; 'Israel' tightening the noose on North Gaza
The genocide has worsened as "Israel" launched a new ground offensive in northern Gaza on October 6, following signs of Hamas rebuilding.
"Israel" has issued evacuation orders for northern Gaza residents, expanding the "humanitarian area" in Al-Mawasi in the south.
Yet, many residents have expressed hesitation about leaving due to Israeli strikes targeting areas designated as "safe zones."
'Israel' blocks two WHO aid missions to besieged Northern Gaza
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday accused "Israel" of blocking two humanitarian missions attempting to enter northern Gaza.
The missions, which aimed to evacuate critical patients and deliver essential fuel, blood units, and medical supplies, were forced to turn back due to Israeli checkpoints and other barriers, the WHO said on Thursday.
A total of seven such missions have been denied or obstructed this week.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called on "Israel" to stop the evacuation orders and to protect hospitals and humanitarian missions.
"North Gaza has barely any health services left. People have nowhere to go," he warned, calling for an immediate ceasefire to protect those trapped in the genocide.
