The World Food Programme, one of the major food suppliers to the Gaza Strip, announced today that it has “exhausted all its stocks” in the Palestinian enclave, where Israel has blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid since early March.

“Today, the World Food Programme (WFP) delivered the last of its food stocks to kitchens serving hot food in the Gaza Strip. These kitchens are expected to run out of food in the coming days,” he said.

“No humanitarian or commercial supplies have entered Gaza for more than seven weeks as all main border crossings remain closed. This is the longest closure the Gaza Strip has ever experienced, exacerbating already fragile markets and food systems,” this UN agency said in a statement to reporters.

At war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since October 2023, Israel has blocked humanitarian aid from entering Palestinian territory since March 2, accusing the Islamist Palestinian movement of abusing such aid, which Hamas denies.

After more than 18 months of devastating fighting, the UN is warning of a humanitarian disaster situation for the 2.4 million residents of the Gaza Strip.

“For weeks, hot meal kitchens have been the only stable source of food aid for the people of Gaza. Although they cover only half of the population and only 25% of daily food needs, they have provided essential vital support,” WFP said.

According to the UN agency, the 25 bakeries it supported in Gaza were forced to close on March 31 due to a shortage of wheat flour and cooking oil.

According to the WFP, more than 116,000 tons of food aid – “enough to feed one million people for up to four months” – is being stored near humanitarian corridors, waiting to enter the country.