Israeli authorities justified the blockade as a tactic to prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons and diverting aid. However, this has drawn severe criticism from the United Nations and various humanitarian organizations, with claims that it constitutes collective punishment and exacerbates the growing hunger crisis in the region. Despite Israeli claims, they have yet to provide definitive evidence supporting their assertions regarding aid diversion by Hamas.
"Our pause marked a devastating moment," stated World Central Kitchen, emphasizing the impact on families that depended on its services for daily nourishment amid extreme hardship. The organization has prepared and distributed over 133 million meals in Gaza since October 2023. Last year, operations were similarly suspended for nearly a month after a tragic incident where an Israeli strike on a convoy resulted in the death of seven of its workers, leading to international outrage.
As of now, vital aid infrastructures in Gaza remain largely dysfunctional despite Israel permitting limited supply deliveries in mid-May, which have been largely mediated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The new distribution system has been chaotic, resulting in multiple fatalities among Palestinians attempting to secure food supplies. The U.N. World Food Program recently voiced concerns over the situation, urging a significant increase in food distributions to alleviate anxiety and restore trust within affected communities.
Abdel Nasser al-Ajrami, the head of Gaza's bakers' union, highlighted the ongoing challenges, stating that many U.N.-supported kitchens are still out of service, and the chaos in accessing food aid makes it virtually impossible to operate bakeries effectively.
"Our pause marked a devastating moment," stated World Central Kitchen, emphasizing the impact on families that depended on its services for daily nourishment amid extreme hardship. The organization has prepared and distributed over 133 million meals in Gaza since October 2023. Last year, operations were similarly suspended for nearly a month after a tragic incident where an Israeli strike on a convoy resulted in the death of seven of its workers, leading to international outrage.
As of now, vital aid infrastructures in Gaza remain largely dysfunctional despite Israel permitting limited supply deliveries in mid-May, which have been largely mediated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The new distribution system has been chaotic, resulting in multiple fatalities among Palestinians attempting to secure food supplies. The U.N. World Food Program recently voiced concerns over the situation, urging a significant increase in food distributions to alleviate anxiety and restore trust within affected communities.
Abdel Nasser al-Ajrami, the head of Gaza's bakers' union, highlighted the ongoing challenges, stating that many U.N.-supported kitchens are still out of service, and the chaos in accessing food aid makes it virtually impossible to operate bakeries effectively.
