Thousands of Gazans are on the brink of starvation as community kitchens, including edge toward collapse due to Israel’s prolonged blockade.
Following the collapse of a two-month ceasefire with Hamas, Israel shut all crossings into Gaza two months ago, halting the entry of food, fuel, and medical supplies. The move, according to Israeli authorities, is intended to pressure Hamas into releasing remaining hostages.
But humanitarian agencies say the tactic is punishing civilians. “Aid, and the civilian lives it saves, should never be a bargaining chip,” warned Tom Fletcher, the UN’s humanitarian chief, on Thursday.
Now, food stocks stored during the ceasefire have nearly vanished.
“The coming days will be critical. We expect we have two weeks’ supply, maybe less,” said Mr. Matar, a local representative.
If the blockade persists, Gaza’s last remaining kitchens, vital for hundreds of thousands, may soon go silent.
