The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced that it has completely run out of food stocks in Gaza.

WFP Delivers Final Food Stocks

On Friday, the WFP confirmed it had delivered its last remaining food stocks to hot meal kitchens across the Gaza Strip. These community kitchens, which have been the only consistent source of food assistance for many weeks, are expected to fully run out of food in the coming days. Even at their peak, these kitchens were only able to reach about half the population, providing just 25 percent of daily nutritional needs-a fraction of what is required for survival1 4 6.

“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 agency stated1.

Over 400,000 people in Gaza have depended directly on WFP-supplied meals. With these resources now exhausted, the humanitarian situation is set to deteriorate even further6.

Blockade and Aid Restrictions

The crisis stems from Israel’s decision to block all humanitarian and commercial supplies into Gaza since March 2, a measure that has persisted for over seven weeks. This is the longest closure Gaza has ever faced, and it has devastated already fragile markets and food systems. Prices for basic food items have soared by up to 1,400 percent compared to periods of ceasefire, and essential commodities have all but disappeared from local markets1 2 4.

The blockade was imposed amid renewed hostilities following the collapse of ceasefire talks with Hamas. Israeli officials have stated that the blockade is intended to pressure Hamas into accepting a US-backed ceasefire proposal. However, the result has been catastrophic for the civilian population, with the United Nations and humanitarian agencies warning of imminent famine and widespread malnutrition, particularly among children, pregnant women, and the elderly4 6.

Collapse of Food Infrastructure

The WFP had also been supporting local bakeries to distribute affordable bread. By March 31, all 25 WFP-supported bakeries in Gaza had shut down due to a lack of wheat flour and cooking fuel. Food parcels that provided families with two weeks’ worth of rations were also exhausted in the same period. The lack of safe water and fuel for cooking has forced families to scavenge for anything that can be burned to prepare a meal1 3.

With the collapse of these critical food distribution networks, the population’s coping mechanisms are rapidly being exhausted. The limited gains made during previous ceasefires have been completely undone by the ongoing blockade1 4.

Humanitarian and Health Impact

The UN’s humanitarian agency OCHA has described the current situation as “probably the worst” since the start of the war. Nearly all essential infrastructure in Gaza-including water, sanitation, and health systems-has been destroyed or rendered inoperable by ongoing hostilities and the blockade. The risk of starvation, disease, and further social unrest is growing by the day3 5.

“In Gaza, you can see a clear trend towards a complete catastrophe. Right now, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is probably the worst since the beginning of the war,” said Jens Laerke, spokesperson for OCHA5.

The UN Human Rights Office has warned that the combination of military attacks, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, and the deliberate blocking of life-saving assistance may amount to collective punishment and could constitute a war crime under international law3.

Aid Ready But Blocked at Borders

Despite the dire need, more than 116,000 metric tons of food assistance-enough to feed one million people for up to four months-remains stockpiled just outside Gaza’s borders. The WFP and its partners are prepared to deliver this aid immediately if the crossings are reopened1 4.

International Response and Warnings

The WFP and other UN agencies have urgently called on all parties to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and to uphold obligations under international humanitarian law. However, diplomatic efforts have so far failed to secure the reopening of the borders. The United States has indicated it will not pressure Israel to allow more aid, while Israeli officials maintain that the blockade is necessary for security reasons4.

Escalating Violence and Civilian Suffering

The humanitarian crisis is compounded by ongoing Israeli airstrikes and ground operations, which have resulted in high civilian casualties and further destruction of what little remains of Gaza’s infrastructure. Local health authorities report thousands of deaths since the resumption of hostilities in March, with many more injured and displaced2 3.

Outlook: Imminent Catastrophe

With food stocks now depleted and no new aid entering Gaza, the population faces an imminent catastrophe. Vulnerable groups-especially children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the elderly-are at acute risk of malnutrition and starvation. The WFP warns that without urgent action to open the borders, its critical assistance cannot continue, and the consequences for Gaza’s civilian population will be dire1 6.

The international community is being urged to act swiftly to prevent a complete humanitarian collapse in Gaza. As the situation stands, the territory is on the brink of famine, with millions of lives hanging in the balance.