UNRWA warns of increased hunger in Gaza as 'Israel' continues blockade
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The UN agency once again calls for the lifting of "Israel’s" siege and the delivery of supplies into the strip.
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Palestinian children struggle to receive donated food at a distribution center in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, Monday, April 21, 2025 (AP)
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) stated on Friday that the 54-day blockade by "Israel" on humanitarian aid to Gaza has worsened hunger in the war-torn strip, according to Anadolu Agency.
In a statement, the agency confirmed that nearly 3,000 UNRWA trucks carrying lifesaving supplies are ready to enter Gaza, but Israeli authorities continue to prevent the aid from reaching those in need.
“The people in Gaza are hungry and the situation is desperate,” the agency explained, decrying how “humanitarian aid is being used as a bargaining chip and a weapon of war.”
The UN agency once again called for the lifting of "Israel’s" siege and the delivery of supplies into the strip.
The UNRWA previously stated that overcrowded shelters throughout Gaza are in dire condition, service providers are overwhelmed, and essential resources are running out.
Since March 2, "Israel" has closed Gaza's border crossings to food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, according to reports from government bodies, human rights organizations, and international agencies, marking the longest blockade in the strip's history.
Lazzarini warns of starvation
UNRWA's chief Philippe Lazzarini stated Friday that children in the Gaza Strip are “starving” due to "Israel’s" aid blockade, Anadolu reported.
#Gaza: children are starving.
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) April 25, 2025
The Government of Israel continues to block the entry of food + other basics.
A manmade & politically motivated starvation.
Nearly 2 months of siege.
Calls to bring in supplies are going unheeded. pic.twitter.com/leqPwWikZe
In a post on X, Lazzarini stated that “#Gaza: children are starving. The Government of "Israel" continues to block the entry of food + other basics. A manmade & politically motivated starvation. Nearly 2 months of siege. Calls to bring in supplies are going unheeded."
WFP says it has run out of food in Gaza
His statement comes as the World Food Programme (WFP) revealed it has distributed its final food supplies to kitchens in Gaza.
“Today, WFP delivered its last remaining food stocks to hot meals kitchens in the Gaza Strip. These kitchens are expected to fully run out of food in the coming days,” the UN agency stated.
For weeks, these hot meals kitchens have served as the only consistent source of food aid for the population. Although they reached only half of Gaza’s residents and met just 25% of their daily nutritional needs, they remained a critical lifeline, WFP noted.
All 25 bakeries supported by the WFP were forced to shut down on March 31 due to the depletion of wheat flour and cooking fuel. That same week, WFP's distribution of food parcels—each containing two weeks' worth of supplies per family—also came to an end.
“WFP is also deeply concerned about the severe lack of safe water and fuel for cooking – forcing people to scavenge for items to burn to cook a meal,” the statement said.
It further noted that "this is the longest closure" the Gaza Strip has experienced, severely undermining already fragile markets and food systems.
Vulnerable groups at risk
The WFP emphasized that food prices have surged by as much as 1,400% compared to levels during the ceasefire, while essential commodities remain scarce.
The UN agency highlighted growing concerns about malnutrition in Gaza, especially among vulnerable groups like children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the elderly.
It emphasized that over 116,000 metric tonnes of food aid, enough to feed one million people for up to four months, are ready for delivery as soon as the crossings are reopened by "Israel."
The WFP warned that the situation has reached a breaking point, with people running out of ways to cope and the gains made during the brief ceasefire lost. The agency urged all parties to prioritize civilian needs, allow immediate aid entry, and adhere to international humanitarian law.
