The World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations reports that due to funding shortages, significant reductions are being made to its assistance efforts in Gaza. This reduction means that approximately 500,000 individuals will no longer receive monthly food aid in a region where a majority of the population already faces challenges in accessing an adequate food supply.

The WFP disclosed that it will decrease the number of beneficiaries receiving monthly assistance from 1.6 million to 1.1 million people. Moreover, food provisions will be halved, cash support will be eliminated for 75,000 families, and the number of daily hot meals for those incapable of cooking will decrease from 250,000 to 150,000. Some families residing in hard-to-reach areas will now only receive a hot meal every other day.

Approximately 1.4 million individuals in Gaza, representing two-thirds of the population, are experiencing severe food insecurity, with around 200,000 people in emergency conditions. Despite last year’s U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement for Gaza, which includes provisions for the territory’s reconstruction, progress has been minimal in implementing the deal aimed at resolving the conflict between Hamas and Israel.

Carl Skau, the acting executive director of the WFP, emphasized the ongoing challenges faced in Gaza, stating that essential services, safety, and security are still lacking. Urgent funding of $450 million USD is required over the next six months to sustain critical operations in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Skau urged the global community not to turn a blind eye to the situation and emphasized the need to uphold support to safeguard progress and promote early recovery efforts. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli forces retain control over more than 60% of the territory and carry out frequent airstrikes, while Hamas governs much of the area where over two million Palestinians reside in temporary shelters with insufficient aid supplies.

The announcement by the WFP was described as “catastrophic” by the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, warning that it could exacerbate famine in the area. Residents expressed frustration over the prolonged hardships they have endured, urging for increased support and an end to the ongoing challenges they face.