World Food Programme refuses to supply flour to Gaza families lined up at bakeries

Gaza media office sounds alarm over ‘catastrophic levels of hunger’

Gaza’s Government Media Office says hunger and suffering among Palestinians in the besieged enclave have reached “catastrophic” levels, and called on the World Food Programme (WFP) to “uphold its duty” and resume the distribution of much-needed flour.

For 420 days, it said, the Israeli army has relied on hunger as a tool against people in Gaza, particularly women and children. It has maintained its crippling siege on the Strip and prevented the entry of humanitarian aid by sealing shut vital border crossings.

Earlier, the WFP warned all bakeries in central Gaza shut down because of severe supply shortages.

In its statement, the media office decried the “utter failure” of humanitarian agencies and NGOs in Gaza, saying organisations such as the WFP have “refused” to supply flour to families who lined up at bakeries across Gaza.

It called on the international community to facilitate the distribution of flour and aid.