The UN’s World Food Program (WFP) has warned that it only has enough food supplies in Gaza to keep public kitchens and bakeries open for less than two weeks after Israel blocked the entrance of all goods into the Palestinian territory, The Associated Press reported on Wednesday.
Israel announced it was cutting off the delivery of food, fuel, medicine, and other supplies in Gaza on Sunday with full backing from the US. Israel is in violation of the ceasefire deal agreed to back in January and is attempting to pressure Hamas to agree to a new arrangement that won’t involve a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
The WFP said that on top of its low food stocks, it only has enough fuel for a few more weeks. Palestinians in Gaza said they immediately felt the effects of Israel’s siege on the entry of all goods as food prices began to climb.
Before Sunday, Israel was still blocking the entry of mobile homes and sufficient tent supplies in Gaza, which it committed to allowing into the Strip as part of the ceasefire deal. Due to the Israeli restrictions and a cold spell, at least six Palestinian infants living in tents died of hypothermia in recent weeks.
While the US has backed Israel’s siege, the collective punishment of Gaza’s civilian population amid the Muslim holy month of Ramadan has received widespread condemnation. Israel is also reportedly planning to cut all water and electricity to Gaza as part of a “hell plan” if Hamas doesn’t agree to its terms.
