Palestinians wait to obtain meals from a charity kitchen after the worldwide starvation monitor, Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), stated that Gaza City and surrounding areas are formally affected by famine that can possible unfold, in Gaza City, on August 28, 2025. | Photo Credit: Reuters

The United Nations cautioned on Friday (October 17, 2025) that it might take time to reverse the famine within the Gaza Strip, saying all crossings wanted to be opened to “flood Gaza with meals”.

The U.N.’s World Food Programme stated it had been capable of transfer shut to three,000 tonnes of meals provides into the war-shattered Palestinian territory for the reason that U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took maintain.

“It’s going to take a while to cut back the famine” declared by the U.N. in late August, WFP spokeswoman Abeer Etefa advised a media briefing in Geneva.

“The ceasefire has opened a slender window of alternative. WFP is transferring in a short time and swiftly to scale up meals help and attain households who’ve endured months of blockade, displacement and starvation.”

Ms. Etefa stated the WFP had 5 meals distribution factors up and operating throughout the Gaza Strip, largely within the south, however needed to get to 145.

She stated the WFP had been ready to make use of the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings in latest days.

From Saturday (October 11) till Wednesday (October 15), round 230 vehicles with 2,800 tonnes of meals provides crossed into Gaza, stated Ms. Etefa.

The spokeswoman stated 57 vehicles in two convoys, carrying wheat flour and vitamin provides, crossed in on Thursday (October 16) and reached WFP’s warehouses intact, prepared for distribution.

“We’re nonetheless beneath what we want however we’re getting there,” she stated.

As of Wednesday (October 15), 9 bakeries had been operating, with WFP engaged on getting 30 going all through the Gaza Strip.

“Bread is extraordinarily essential. The scent of contemporary bread in Gaza is greater than nourishment: it’s a sign that life is returning,” stated Ms. Etefa.

She known as for all land crossings into the Palestinian territory to be opened up “in order that we are able to flood Gaza with meals provides”.

“The sooner we are able to transfer help in, the extra lives we are able to attain shortly,” she added.

The WFP is beginning its distribution of vitamin provides in Gaza City.

“We are attempting to push again on famine, particularly for households returning residence within the north of Gaza,” stated Ms. Etefa.

WFP’s plan is to scale as much as attain 1.6 million folks inside Gaza over the following three months.

Published – October 17, 2025 11:36 pm IST

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