Israel Allows Limited Aid into Gaza After 10-Week Blockade Amid Humanitarian Crisis
After a prolonged 10-week blockade starting March 2, 2025, Israel has permitted limited food aid into the Gaza Strip, responding to mounting international pressure and UN warnings of a humanitarian disaster, Khaama Press reported. The blockade had cut off all humanitarian assistance—including food, medicine, and fuel—to Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported its food stocks in Gaza were completely depleted, leaving over 400,000 people without aid. Local kitchens providing community meals were running out of supplies. Food prices surged dramatically, with the cost of a 25 kg bag of wheat flour rising by 400% compared to pre-blockade levels.
The Gaza Health Ministry highlighted the dire impact on vulnerable groups: at least 60,000 children face serious health risks due to malnutrition, over 1 million children go hungry daily, and 52 people—including 50 children—have died from hunger-related causes.
Israel has allowed a limited number of aid trucks through the Kerem Shalom crossing. However, the UN and aid organizations have raised concerns about the involvement of armed contractors in aid distribution, questioning the neutrality and legality of this system under international humanitarian law.
The international community, including Germany, France, and the UK, condemned the blockade as “intolerable,” warning it risks starvation, epidemics, and further deaths. The UN calls for unrestricted humanitarian access to prevent further deterioration and uphold civilian protection.
