Israel has closed all crossings into Gaza indefinitely following its attack on Iran, raising fears of a renewed hunger crisis for the territory's 2 million residents. The siege, which began on Saturday, has already triggered sharp price increases for basic goods and threatens to deplete food supplies within days.
Humanitarian organisations, including World Central Kitchen, report that their current stocks will last only a few more days if borders remain shut. Founder José Andrés stated on social media: 'We are cooking 1m hot meals every day. We need food deliveries every single day.' Community bakeries have roughly 10 days of flour, and aid parcels are sufficient for about two weeks. An international food security expert noted just a week's supply of fresh food remains.
Memories of last summer's famine, which followed a total siege and extreme restrictions on food shipments, have driven Palestinians to rush to markets. The price of a 25kg sack of flour has tripled to between 80 and 100 shekels, while sugar, nappies, and cooking oil have doubled. Many cannot afford to stockpile, having lost homes and jobs during the war. Um Mohammed Hijazi, a mother of five displaced five times, said her small aid supply 'may be enough for a few days if the crossings remain closed.'
Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, emphasised Israel's legal responsibility as the occupying power to ensure sufficient food for civilians. 'Community kitchens are already closing, and prices for basic goods have started to rise,' he said. 'Even amid a widening regional war, international humanitarian law still requires Israel to facilitate relief.'
Israel’s Cogat authority halted shipments for security reasons, but late on Monday announced it would reopen the Kerem Shalom crossing for gradual humanitarian aid entry. A Cogat spokesperson claimed existing stockpiles in Gaza 'are expected to suffice for a while,' though no statistics were provided. The Rafah crossing with Egypt has been closed since Israeli forces took control in May 2024, and Cogat did not explain why it remains shut.
