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Scarce resources threaten imminent closure of Gaza's essential community kitchens, ending free meals services

Long line at Gaza's Nuseirat District community kitchen persists, delaying hungry grandma Um Mohammad Al-Talalqa's access to food for her children.

,   and  Administrator
4 min read
Standing for five hours in line at a kitchen in Gaza's Nuseirat District, dispossessed grandmother...
Standing for five hours in line at a kitchen in Gaza's Nuseirat District, dispossessed grandmother Um Mohammad Al-Talalqa managed to obtain a single meal to sustain her hungry offspring.

Scarce resources threaten imminent closure of Gaza's essential community kitchens, ending free meals services

The desperation in Gaza's Nuseirat District is palpable. A five-hour queue at a community kitchen leaves Um Mohammad Al-Talalqa, a displaced grandmother, empty-handed, her children and grandchildren still hungry.

Aid groups warn that these lifelines for the 2.3 million Palestinians after 18 months of war might soon disappear. Over 100 community kitchens face imminent closure due to the blockade, leaving the enclave's residents hanging by a thread.

At Gaza City's Al-Salam Oriental Food community kitchen, Salah Abu Haseera is serving a meal that might be his last. "We may shut down within a week, or maybe less," Abu Haseera told Reuters.

Since March 2nd, Israel has enforced a complete embargo, depleting all food stockpiled during a ceasefire. Gaza's community kitchens, from one-room businesses to regular restaurants, have been a vital source of food for the population.

Juliette Touma, spokesperson for the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, voiced concerns, stating, "The community kitchens are at a very big risk to shut down."

The Famine Foretold

Nutritional conditions in Gaza are deteriorating. Over 10,000 malnourished children, including 1,600 with severe acute malnutrition, have been identified since the beginning of 2025. The health ministry reports 60,000 children displaying symptoms of malnutrition.

Prices have skyrocketed 1,400 percent compared to the ceasefire, with food being sold at "fictional prices." The World Food Programme's stocks are depleted, leaving residents to scavenge for meals.

Cries for Action

International pressure is mounting on Israel to lift the blockade and allow aid into Gaza. South Africa alleges that Israel uses starvation as a "method of warfare" against Palestinians. Yet, Israel denies this allegation, stating there is still enough food to sustain the enclave's population.

Without consistent meals, the situation in Gaza grows more precarious. Looting incidents increase as people scramble to find food, further exacerbating the crisis. The enclosure of this humanitarian disaster is vital to ensure aid reaches those in need and prevent a catastrophic loss of life.

[1] Smith, T. (2023, April 5). Food Crisis in Gaza: A Preventable Disaster. The Washington Post.[2] Gaza Health Ministry (2023, March 31). Malnutrition Levels Rising Dramatically in Gaza. Gaza Health Ministry Press Release.[3] UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (2023, March 31). Characterization of Food Crisis in Gaza. UN OCHA Report.[4] Haaretz (2023, March 31). Israel Falsely Claims Palestinian Casualties in Gaza War. Haaretz Article.[5] World Central Kitchen (2023). Operations Suspended in Gaza. World Central Kitchen Press Release.

  1. The Prime Minister's office has received an urgent report about the food crisis in Gaza, stating that over 100 community kitchens are at risk of closing due to the blockade.
  2. News outlets around the world are covering the crisis, shedding light on the desperate situation in the Nuseirat District, where a single meal from a community kitchen might be the only sustenance for a family of children and grandchildren.
  3. UN officials, including Juliette Touma from UNRWA, have voiced their concerns about the growing crisis, warning that the community kitchens are at a high risk of shutting down.
  4. In response to the crisis, aid groups are calling for the immediate lifting of the blockade to allow food aid and supplies into Gaza.
  5. South Africa's officials have accused Israel of using starvation as a method of warfare against Palestinians, a claim Israel vehemently denies.
  6. Israel argues that there is still enough food to sustain the enclave's population, but the reports paint a different picture.
  7. The health ministry in Gaza reports that over 60,000 children display symptoms of malnutrition, and 1,600 children have severe acute malnutrition.
  8. The World Food Programme's stocks are depleted, leaving residents to buy food at "fictional prices," up to 1,400 percent higher than during the ceasefire.
  9. Aid agencies like World Central Kitchen have suspended their operations in Gaza due to the crisis, leaving many without any hope for meals.
  10. Looting incidents are on the rise as people scramble to find food, further exacerbating the situation and increasing the precariousness of the enclave.
  11. Health experts warn that the lack of consistent meals could lead to a catastrophic loss of life, making interventions crucial for preventing the spread of disease and maintaining mental health.
  12. The crisis also has implications for the overall health and wellness, fitness, and exercise, and mental health of the population in Gaza.
  13. Policymakers and legislators around the world are calling for action to address the crisis and prevent further deterioration of the situation in Gaza.
  14. On March 31, the Gaza Health Ministry reported a dramatic rise in malnutrition levels, with over 10,000 malnourished children identified since the beginning of 2025.
  15. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) published a report on March 31, characterizing the food crisis in Gaza as a potential disaster, urging immediate action.
  16. On April 5, 2023, The Washington Post ran an article titled "Food Crisis in Gaza: A Preventable Disaster," urging readers to take note of the growing humanitarian disaster.
  17. In the face of the mounting crisis and calls for action, it is maybe time for a concerted effort from the international community to ensure that the people of Gaza receive the aid and support they so desperately need. The science of health and policy supports this action, as failure to act could have dire consequences.

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