Gaza Faces Food Crisis as Israel Blocks Aid Deliveries

• Mar 7, 2025

The cost of food in Gaza has surged dramatically, with essential supplies at risk of depletion after Israel halted the entry of humanitarian aid, the United Nations' humanitarian agency (OCHA) has reported.

OCHA's partner organizations revealed that prices for basic goods, such as flour and vegetables, have more than doubled in some instances. Residents in Gaza told the BBC about the growing crisis, describing an overnight increase in food costs.

If the blockade persists, OCHA warned that "at least 80 community kitchens may soon run out of stock," while the remaining food parcels—capable of supporting 500,000 people—are expected to be exhausted soon.

The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, decided to stop aid shipments over the weekend, accusing Hamas of hoarding supplies and rejecting a US-backed ceasefire extension. A Hamas representative denounced the blockade as "cheap blackmail."

In response to Israel’s actions, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, and the UK issued a joint statement on Wednesday, calling the humanitarian situation in Gaza "catastrophic." They expressed deep concern over the aid blockade, emphasizing that "humanitarian aid should never be contingent on a ceasefire or used as a political tool." The ministers urged the continuation of the ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and the resumption of aid deliveries.

During the ceasefire period, which began on January 19, thousands of aid trucks entered Gaza weekly. However, following the ceasefire’s expiration on Saturday night, Netanyahu’s office accused Hamas of diverting aid to support its military operations. Hamas has previously denied such allegations.

As aid deliveries remain suspended, OCHA has warned that community kitchens will soon have to reduce portions or cut meal distributions altogether. Food rations are already being scaled back, and supplies are expected to run out shortly. Residents are struggling with soaring prices, with basic items such as tomatoes and cucumbers doubling or even tripling in cost overnight.

One Gaza resident, Issam, described the dire situation, saying, "We could barely afford a kilo of tomatoes just to satisfy our hunger." Another, Issa Meit from Gaza City, expressed fear that prices would rise further, questioning how families could survive under such conditions. Some locals accused merchants of exploiting the crisis, but traders insisted they were merely passing on higher wholesale costs.

Caroline Seguin, a spokeswoman for Doctors Without Borders (MSF), told the BBC that in Gaza City, sugar prices had quintupled. In Khan Younis and Gaza City, the cost of a carton of 30 eggs had risen by approximately 150%. "The news has created uncertainty and fear, causing food prices to spike," she said, calling Israel’s blockade "unacceptable, outrageous, and devastating."

Countries involved in brokering the ceasefire, including Qatar and Egypt, condemned Israel’s decision. Qatar labeled the move "a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement and international humanitarian law," while Egypt accused Israel of using starvation as "a weapon against the Palestinian people."

Meanwhile, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer defended the blockade, claiming that "Hamas has hoarded supplies for months" and that the organization has enough food "to fuel an obesity epidemic." He argued that aid was available but was not being fairly distributed.

Beyond food shortages, the blockade is affecting all forms of humanitarian assistance. The organization Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) stated that while it had some medical supplies and hygiene kits in reserve, most incoming aid was meant for immediate distribution. MSF reported that although its medical supplies might last for a few months, hospitals were facing severe shortages of fuel to power generators essential for critical equipment like ventilators.

The humanitarian crisis stems from the ongoing war, which erupted after Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of at least 48,405 people, according to figures from the Hamas-run health ministry.

As conditions in Gaza worsen, the international community continues to pressure Israel to allow aid deliveries, warning of dire humanitarian consequences if the blockade is not lifted.