UN relief chief warns food ‘rotting’ at Gaza border as Israel continues to breach humanitarian law with blockade imposed on March 18.
As the ongoing **Israel-Palestine conflict** deepens, the situation in Gaza has become increasingly dire, with families forced to rely on **canned food** to survive amidst the decay of fresh produce languishing at the border. The **United Nations Relief Chief**, Tom Fletcher, has raised grave concerns about the humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the urgency of the situation as fresh food supplies are rendered useless due to the blockade that commenced on March 18.
A Blockade That Starves
According to Fletcher, all entry points into Gaza are currently **sealed off**, leaving **vital food supplies to rot**, life-saving medications to perish, and essential medical equipment stranded. “International humanitarian law strictly prohibits indiscriminate attacks and the obstruction of life-saving aid,” he stated, pressing for the international community to take immediate action on behalf of the countless lives hanging in the balance. You can find more about humanitarian laws and principles on the International Committee of the Red Cross website.
All entry points into Gaza are closed. At the border, food is rotting. Medicine is expiring. Vital medical equipment is stuck.⁰⁰If the basic principles of humanitarian law still count, the international community must act to uphold them. pic.twitter.com/mQkyexZYvi
— Tom Fletcher (@UNReliefChief) March 28, 2025
Rationing Rations
The **UN World Food Programme (WFP)** has reported alarming figures, with only **5,700 tonnes of food** remaining in Gaza, sufficient for a mere two-week supply for the besieged population. The ongoing blockade has led to a staggering **400% increase** in food prices; a **25kg (55lb) bag of wheat flour** now costs about $50, significantly burdening families already facing dire circumstances.
Israeli Prime Minister **Benjamin Netanyahu's** recent decision to ban food and aid from entering Gaza until an agreement is reached with Hamas has exacerbated the crisis. The Palestinian group, however, is resisting negotiations for an extension, striving instead to advance to a second stage aimed at securing an end to hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.
The Marketplace of Despair
In **Jabalia**, northern Gaza, the once vibrant market now bears a stark resemblance to a **barren wasteland**, where shelves are filled predominantly with canned goods and overpriced vegetables. Local vegetable vendor **Mustafa Homaid** described the scene: “The marketplace is almost empty,” he lamented. “A kilo (2.2 pounds) of tomatoes has tripled in price. I can hardly afford to buy groceries for my family. You can imagine how other people are coping.”
Young **Ahmed Balosha**, a displaced child in Jabalia, echoed the grim reality: “We are surviving on canned food, some bread, and cheese. That is all,” he shared, highlighting the tragic absence of fresh meat in his household for over a year.
Destruction Amidst Scarcity
As if the food crisis was not severe enough, Gaza continues to endure relentless bombardment from Israeli forces. Since the onset of renewed hostilities on March 18, nearly **900 Palestinians have been killed**, with the overall death toll tragically surpassing **50,251** since the war erupted on **October 7, 2023**. This conflict, ignited by a deadly Hamas attack killing over **1,139 Israelis**, has spiraled into a humanitarian catastrophe, underscoring the urgent need for international intervention.
In the face of such overwhelming adversity, one cannot help but reflect on the basic human right to food and dignity, and the global responsibility to address these critical humanitarian issues. The plight of Gaza is a call to action for allies and advocates worldwide to tirelessly fight against the suffocating grip of conflict and scarcity.
For further insights and comprehensive coverage on the **Israel-Palestine conflict**, consider exploring reports from reputable sources like the Al Jazeera and the United Nations.
