Critical Food Aid to Gaza Faces Logistical Hurdles

The U.N. World Food Programme is increasing food supplies to Gaza following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire but struggles due to limited border crossings. Only 750 of the 2,000 tons needed daily are entering, with crucial roads and crossings still closed, hampering full aid delivery to the war-torn region.

The United Nations' World Food Programme announced on Tuesday that while food supplies to Gaza are scaling up following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, the deliveries are still significantly below the required target. Currently, only two Israeli-controlled crossings are open, restricting the flow to 750 tons daily, far less than the 2,000 tons needed.

WFP spokesperson Abeer Etefa emphasized the need to utilize every available crossing to meet the urgent food demands. However, the lack of open crossings, specifically to the famine-stricken north of Gaza, remains a critical bottleneck. An Israeli security official confirmed that aid continues through the Kerem Shalom crossing, but further crossings are necessary to deliver full aid as per the ceasefire plan.

Additional challenges include the closure of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, contingent on Hamas returning the bodies of hostages, as stated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite some nutrition supplies reaching the region, much-needed access to the main north-south road is also denied, leaving many residents storing food out of fear of future shortages.

(With inputs from agencies.)