In a disheartening development for humanitarian efforts in Gaza, a leading aid organization announced on Thursday that Israel's ongoing blockade of humanitarian assistance has compelled them to shut down their community soup kitchens. This decision comes amid a dire situation in the besieged enclave, where aid supplies are dwindling, leaving many without access to food and basic necessities.

World Central Kitchen, a prominent global organization known for its disaster relief efforts, has been serving an impressive 133,000 meals daily and baking around 80,000 loaves of bread in recent weeks. However, they now face the grim reality of having to suspend all operations due to a critical shortage of food supplies in Gaza. This closure not only impacts the aid group but also threatens the survival of countless individuals and families already grappling with the effects of 19 months of continuous conflict.

The situation in Gaza has deteriorated significantly, with reports indicating that malnutrition and hunger are on the rise. In April, the World Food Program announced that its food stocks had been completely depleted due to the blockade imposed by Israel, which has effectively cut off a crucial source of sustenance for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians across the territory.

As the blockade enters its third month, aid agencies are sounding alarms over the increasing risk of starvation among the population. Availability of supplies necessary to treat and prevent malnutrition is rapidly dwindling, further exacerbating an already critical humanitarian crisis.

The blockade, initiated by Israel on March 2, coincided with a resumption of military operations on March 18 after a two-month ceasefire. Israeli authorities maintain that these measures are aimed at pressuring the militant group Hamas to release hostages. However, rights organizations have condemned the blockade as a “starvation tactic,” asserting that it endangers the entire civilian population and may even constitute a war crime.

Community kitchens like those operated by World Central Kitchen have been essential lifelines for many vulnerable individuals who depend on them for daily meals. Nevertheless, as the availability of supplies continues to shrink, many of these kitchens are being forced to close their doors. At the ones that remain open, scenes of desperation are becoming increasingly common, with men, women, and children often engaging in chaotic struggles to secure meager rations.

In addition to the shutdown of soup kitchens, bakeries are closing, and water distribution is severely hampered due to fuel shortages. Since the onset of the war, World Central Kitchen has provided over 130 million meals and baked around 80 million loaves of bread. Yet, they reported on Thursday that they currently lack flour for their mobile bakery operations.

Chef José Andrés, the founder of World Central Kitchen, expressed frustration over the situation, stating, “Our trucks—loaded with food and supplies—are waiting in Egypt, Jordan, and Israel, ready to enter Gaza. But they cannot move without permission. Humanitarian aid must be allowed to flow.”

The Israeli body responsible for overseeing aid to Gaza, COGAT, has indicated that the blockade will persist unless there is a change in government policy. Since the beginning of the year, more than 10,000 children have been treated for acute malnutrition, according to data from the World Health Organization. The number of cases surged dramatically in March, with UNICEF reporting 3,600 cases, representing an 80% increase compared to February’s figures.

Moreover, nearly half of the 200 nutrition centers operating throughout Gaza have closed due to ongoing displacement and bombardment, leaving many without access to essential nutritional services.

Previously, World Central Kitchen had to suspend its operations in April of last year following tragic incidents where seven aid workers were killed in Israeli strikes on their convoy. They resumed their efforts weeks later, only to face yet another critical juncture in their mission to provide food to the vulnerable in Gaza.

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, the world watches, hoping for a resolution that allows for the safe passage of aid and the provision of essential services to those in desperate need.

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Associated Press writer Melanie Lidman contributed to this report from Tel Aviv, Israel.