‘There is simply nothing’: Food is scarce in Gaza amid Israel’s block on aid
Palestinians in Gaza told Al Jazeera that Israel’s latest blockade of the flow of humanitarian aid has caused severe food shortages and high prices at a time when the entirety of the territory’s population is facing enormous needs — and as many are fasting during the day for the holy month of Ramadan.
“There was already a shortage of goods even before the closures, and this has only made the situation worse, increasing the suffering of the people,” said Fathi Abu al-Ula, in Khan Younis.
“Prices have skyrocketed, rising to three or even four times what they were—especially for vegetables and essential food supplies. This is particularly true for baby food and other child-related products.”
Abu al-Ula added that prices have risen in response to the high demand. “This is especially critical during this holy month, when people rely on shopping for essential food items, particularly vegetables, to observe Ramadan, prepare for religious gatherings, and host family events,” he said.
“Families need food for their children, the elderly, and the sick — many of whom have already been suffering from malnutrition for a long time.”
Radwan Ahmed, also in Khan Younis, said that there was no chicken, meat or soda to be found at the market.
“There is absolutely nothing,” he said. “We started fasting three days ago, so imagine what the situation will be like after a week of fasting. There is nothing, and aid is not reaching the poor and those in need. There is simply nothing.”
A farmer works at a field on the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza boundary, opposite to the northern part of Gaza, as seen from southern Israel
UK, France and Germany urge Israel to restore aid to Gaza
Israel must meet international obligations to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, the foreign ministers of the UK, France and Germany have said in a joint statement.
“We call on the government of Israel to abide by its international obligations to ensure full, rapid, safe and unhindered provision of humanitarian assistance to the population in Gaza,” the statement read.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Sunday that “the entry of all goods and supplies to the Gaza Strip will be halted,” accusing Hamas of refusing to accept a framework for the continuation of talks proposed by US special envoy Steve Witkoff.
“Humanitarian aid should never be contingent on a ceasefire or used as a political tool,” it added, calling on all parties to uphold the ceasefire.
Five UN Security Council nations call on Israel to let aid into Gaza
Five European members of the UN Security Council have called on Israel to “immediately let humanitarian aid flow into the Gaza Strip”, and called on parties “to find a way forward to the next phases of the ceasefire agreement and hostage release deal”.
The deputy ambassador to the United Nations from France, Jay Dharmadhikari, also speaking on behalf of Denmark, Greece, Slovenia and the United Kingdom, called on Israel “to abide by its obligations under international law and to allow and facilitate the safe, unconditional, massive and hand-in-dirt delivery of humanitarian aid at scale, as well as to ensure the protection of civilians and other protected persons, including humanitarian workers in line with international humanitarian law”.
The diplomat added, “We need a permanent ceasefire that can pave the way for the release of all remaining hostages and for the reconstruction of Gaza”.
‘Against all odds’ UNRWA remains in Gaza: agency
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees continues to operate in Gaza “against all odds”, the agency says.
In a post on X, UNRWA wrote that despite Israel’s block on humanitarian aid entering the territory, UNRWA teams have continued to operate there, including by providing food, shelter, and healthcare.
“The needs are vast, and continuous assistance is needed,” the agency wrote. “Humanitarian aid must continue to flow.”
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