The World Food Programme (WFP) says Gaza food stock has run out under Israel’s nearly eight-week lockdown.
In a statement, WFP said it has delivered its last stock to Charity Kitchen to support the Gaza area.
These kitchens said they are expected to run out of food in the coming days.
According to the United Nations, around 80% of Gaza’s population, which is more than 2 million, relies primarily on food charity kitchens, as other sources are closed under Israeli lockdowns.
WFP supports 37 kitchens, producing around 500,000 meals per day.
It was not immediately clear how many kitchens would still be in operation in Gaza if they were closed.
Israel blocked Gaza from invasions of all food, fuel, medicine and other supplies on March 2, and resumed artillery and ground attacks two weeks later, ending a two-month ceasefire with Hamas.
Israel says the move aims to pressure extremist groups to release the 59 hostages still held.
Rights groups have called the lockdown a “hunger tactic” and a potential war crime.
Israel said Gaza has enough supplies after a surge in aid during the ceasefire, accusing Hamas of diverting aid for that purpose.
Aid workers have denied that there is a major shift in aid, saying the United Nations is closely monitoring it.
They say that the flow of aid during the ceasefire was not sufficient to cover immeasurable needs from the war, when supplies were only in.
With no new products entering Gaza, many foods have disappeared from the market, including meat, eggs, fruits, dairy products and many vegetables.
The prices of what remains have risen dramatically, making them uncontrollable for many of the population.
Malnutrition has already skyrocketed at the United Nations, saying it had identified 3,700 children suffering from acute malnutrition in March as an 80% increase from the previous month.
At the same time, due to a decline in supply, the aid group was able to provide dietary supplements to around 22,000 children in March, down 70% from February.
Supplements are an important tool to avoid malnutrition.
Almost all bakeries were closed a few weeks ago, and WFP stopped basic distribution of food to families due to a lack of supplies.
With most ingredients stocks running out, Charity Kitchens are generally unable to serve only pasta and rice meals.
World Central Kitchen, Gaza’s biggest US charity that does not rely on WFP, said its kitchen had run out of protein on Thursday.
Instead, they make stews from canned vegetables. Due to the lack of fuel, wooden transport pallets are dismantled and burned on the stove.
It also operates the only bakery that is still functioning in Gaza, producing 87,000 breads of pita per day.
WFP said 116,000 tonnes of food are ready to bring to Gaza once Israel opens its borders and enough borders to feed 1 million people for four months.
Israel vowed to destroy Hamas after the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and leveled much of Gaza with its air and ground campaign.
The Hamas-led attack on October 7th saw around 1,200 civilians, mostly taking 251 hostages on the strip.
