The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) said Tuesday it has delivered food parcels to about one million people in Gaza since the ceasefire began, but warned that severe access restrictions are still choking aid efforts.
WFP spokesperson Abeer Etefa said from Cairo that while aid has reached many families, northern Gaza remains largely cut off due to Israel’s continued closure of key border crossings. “We need more access — more border crossings open and access to key roads inside the Strip,” she urged.
The US-brokered truce, in effect since October 10, has allowed limited humanitarian deliveries, though aid groups say supplies are still far below the required levels.
WFP has so far opened 44 of 145 planned distribution points and is providing daily bread to 700,000 people through 17 bakeries. The agency aims to reach 1.6 million people with 10-day food parcels.
Despite modest improvements, food consumption remains far below pre-war levels, with families largely surviving on cereals and pulses. Prices have skyrocketed — “an apple now costs as much as a kilo did before the war,” said WFP spokesperson Nour Hammad.
Etefa warned that famine still looms, as only half of Gaza’s food needs are being met, with aid limited to the Karem Abu Salem and Kissufim crossings. “We haven’t been given clear answers on why the northern crossings remain closed,” she said. “The needs are overwhelming. We are in a race to save lives.”
