Gaza food aid scarce after Israel halts entry

In the Gaza Strip, a troubling situation is unfolding as food aid becomes increasingly scarce. Palestinian children are seen gathering to receive meals prepared by a charity kitchen during the holy month of Ramadan. However, the United Nations has reported that food prices in Gaza have skyrocketed, and the humanitarian aid that many rely on could soon run out. The UN's humanitarian agency, OCHA, has indicated that the prices of essential items like flour and vegetables have more than doubled, with local residents confirming these alarming trends. If the blockade continues, OCHA warns that at least 80 community kitchens, which provide meals for those in need, may soon exhaust their supplies. These kitchens currently support around 500,000 individuals. The decision to halt aid was made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who accused Hamas of misappropriating supplies and rejected a proposal from the United States to extend the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. In response, a Hamas spokesperson labeled the halt as 'cheap blackmail. ' Under the ceasefire that began on January 19, a significant number of aid trucks had been entering Gaza each week. However, following the expiration of the ceasefire's initial phase, Netanyahu's office claimed that Hamas had been stealing aid to fund its operations. Hamas has consistently denied these allegations. Netanyahu also stated that Hamas was unwilling to accept a six-week extension of the ceasefire under new terms proposed by US President Donald Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff. In light of the aid suspension, OCHA announced that some community kitchens that remain operational will need to adjust their meal offerings or reduce the number of meals they prepare to cope with the anticipated shortages. While they continue to distribute previously received food parcels, these supplies are expected to run out soon. Abu Qais Aryan, a resident of Khan Younis, shared with BBC Arabic that the cost of basic goods doubled overnight. He noted that prices had already surged since the onset of the conflict. Other residents reported that the price of tomatoes increased from five shekels to ten shekels, while cucumbers rose from six to 17 shekels. One man named Issam expressed his frustration, stating that they could barely afford to buy a kilo of tomatoes to satisfy their hunger, adding that many people could not purchase food due to a lack of cash liquidity. Amid the ruins of destroyed buildings in Jabalia, some Palestinians have set up a small market to sell fresh vegetables and fruits, trying to continue their daily lives despite the challenging circumstances following the ceasefire agreement on February 10. Issa Meit, a resident of Gaza City, voiced his concerns about the shortage of goods and the high demand, fearing that prices would rise even further. He described the recent decision to halt aid as unfair, particularly for the children who are suffering due to these high prices. Some individuals have pointed fingers at merchants for inflating prices, claiming they are exploiting the situation. Merchant Mahmoud Abu Mohsen explained that he had to raise prices because the wholesalers he buys from had also increased their prices. He mentioned that he used to buy sugar for five shekels, but now he has to pay six shekels, leaving him with only a small profit margin. The news of the aid suspension has created a stir among the people. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) spokesperson Caroline Seguin stated that the news has generated uncertainty and fear, leading to a spike in food prices. She criticized Israel for blocking an entire population from receiving aid, calling it unacceptable and outrageous, with potentially devastating consequences. Qatar and Egypt, both of which played a role in mediating the ceasefire, condemned Israel's actions. Qatar's foreign ministry described the decision as a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement and international humanitarian law. Egypt's foreign ministry accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon against the Palestinian people. David Mencer, an Israeli government spokesman, claimed that Hamas has hoarded supplies for months and has enough food to sustain its population. He asserted that the supplies are available, but Hamas is not sharing them with the people in need. Many Gazans depend on aid; a month ago, OCHA reported that over a million people, roughly half of Gaza's population, had received food assistance since the ceasefire began. The blockade affects all types of aid, not just food. The charity Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) stated that they have some medicine in reserve for their clinics and hygiene kits, but they do not have enough supplies for an extended period. They emphasized that most items entering Gaza were intended for immediate distribution. The ceasefire was established to end 15 months of conflict, during which Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages in its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. In retaliation, Israel launched an air and ground campaign in Gaza that resulted in the deaths of at least 48,405 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.