UN Warns Gaza Faces Imminent Food Collapse as Aid Stocks Depleted

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) announced it has exhausted all food stocks in Gaza after Israel’s seven-week blockade halted aid deliveries, BBC reported. Community kitchens—providing 1 million daily meals—will run out of supplies “in coming days,” leaving 2.1 million Palestinians at risk. Malnutrition rates have doubled, with 80+ acute cases found among 1,300 screened children in northern Gaza.

Israel, which cut aid on March 2 citing hostage negotiations with Hamas, claims compliance with international law and denies shortages. The blockade has spiked food prices by 1,400%, forced 25 WFP-supported bakeries to close, and displaced 400,000 people since mid-March. Over 116,000 tons of ready aid remains stranded at closed borders.

Hospitals face critical medicine and fuel shortages, while WHO warns of an “awful and grim moment.” The Norwegian Refugee Council reports desperate bartering of belongings for food and unprecedented begging. Israel alleges Hamas diverts aid, a claim denied by the UN.