Gaza faces renewed hunger risk as Israel closes crossings during Iran war

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

Israel’s war with Iran has triggered a renewed siege on Gaza Strip, after Israel closed all crossings into the enclave indefinitely, threatening to push about two million people into a fresh hunger crisis. With Israeli forces controlling much of the territory and most food dependent on external deliveries, humanitarian organisations say existing supplies will last only a few days. World Central Kitchen said it would run out of food this week, according to its founder José Andrés, while food security experts warned that stocks of fresh food, flour and aid parcels are rapidly depleting.

As news of the border closures spread, panic buying swept local markets, sharply driving up prices of basic goods. Residents said the cost of flour, sugar, cooking oil and nappies has doubled or tripled within days, while many families already displaced and without income are unable to stock up. Several Palestinians said traders had begun withholding goods in anticipation of further price rises, intensifying fears of a return to famine conditions similar to last year.

Humanitarian groups stressed that, as the occupying power, Israel has a legal obligation to ensure civilians have access to food. Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said community kitchens were already closing and prices were climbing, warning that international humanitarian law still requires Israel to facilitate relief for civilians, even during a widening regional war. Previous aid efforts have also been hindered by insecurity around food distribution sites, including operations linked to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Israel’s aid coordination body, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), said shipments were halted for security reasons but announced that the Kerem Shalom crossing would reopen for the gradual entry of humanitarian aid. COGAT maintained that existing stocks inside Gaza would suffice “for a while,” without providing figures. Gaza’s border with Egypt remains closed to aid, while Israel said its other border crossings with Jordan are still operating a situation that local traders and aid agencies warn leaves Gaza dangerously exposed to another acute food emergency.

With Inputs from Guardian