The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a warning about the dire situation in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for food and humanitarian aid as winter approaches. According to a report from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, over 90% of Gaza's population is expected to face severe food insecurity by November, with the risk of famine looming if conditions do not improve.
The WFP has called for the opening of more border crossing points into Gaza to ease the movement of humanitarian aid, citing significant restrictions that are currently in place. In October, only 20% of the basic food assistance required for the 1.1 million people relying on WFP support was delivered, amounting to just 5,000 metric tons of food.
Furthermore, the WFP has criticized new Israeli legislation that limits the activities of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. The WFP warns that these restrictions could have devastating consequences for the most vulnerable populations in Gaza. Israel's efforts to curtail UNRWA's operations have been ongoing, with concerns raised about alleged affiliations with Hamas and accusations of anti-Israel sentiments being taught in UNRWA schools, which the agency has consistently denied.
Israel has stated that it is working to facilitate aid deliveries to civilians in Gaza. COGAT, the Israeli agency responsible for managing aid flow into Gaza, reported that 100 humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza through the Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings on a recent day.
