WCC NEWS: Food supplies are running out in Gaza

As food supplies run out in Gaza, hunger is taking lives—and endangering many more. Since 2 March, when Israeli armed forces closed all entry points for humanitarian aid into Gaza, no food, no drinking water, no medicine, or any other essential supplies have entered the territory.

Reports indicate that some 2.4 million Gazans are starving.

Fr Silas Habib, of the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza, confirmed that people are in dire situations. He told the World Council of Churches: “Already we have no wheat, and we will run out of all basic supplies in two weeks,” he said. “In addition, we are running out of gasoline, which we need to bring water out of the well.”

On 4 May, a statement by the Humanitarian Country Team of the Occupied Palestinian Territory released a statement on principled aid delivery in Gaza, East Jerusalem, and Gaza City.

“For nine weeks now, Israeli authorities have blocked all supplies from entering Gaza, no matter how vital to people’s survival,” the statement reads. “Bakeries have shut. Community kitchens have closed. Warehouses stand empty. Children have gone hungry.”

The statement reports that Israeli officials have sought to shut down the existing aid distribution system run by the United Nations and its humanitarian partners.

“The design of the plan presented to us will mean large parts of Gaza, including the less mobile and most vulnerable people, will continue to go without supplies,” the statement reads. “It contravenes fundamental humanitarian principles and appears designed to reinforce control over life-sustaining items as a pressure tactic – as part of a military strategy.” Habib asked for God’s mercy. “I want the churches worldwide to pray for us so the war will end and peace prevails,” he concluded.