April 12, 2026
Gaza officials say flour shortages and declining aid threaten food security of 2.4 million Palestinians.
Key Developments
- Flour shortages cut bread production as aid drops to 38% of pre-war levels.
- Daily need estimated at 450 tons, only 200 tons are currently available.
- Officials warn of “complete collapse” of bread system if aid decline continues.
Food Crisis
Gaza’s Government Media Office warned on Sunday of a worsening food crisis in the besieged enclave, citing a sharp decline in flour supplies and continued restrictions on the entry of essential goods.
In a statement, the office said the situation now threatens the food security of more than 2.4 million Palestinians, as bakeries struggle to maintain production amid severe shortages.
Bread production has declined significantly in recent months due to the lack of flour, the statement said, with humanitarian aid entering the Strip reaching only 38 percent of pre-war levels.
This comes despite prior understandings that approximately 600 aid trucks would be allowed into Gaza daily.
Aid Cuts
The crisis has intensified following reductions in support from international organizations.
According to the statement, the World Central Kitchen, which had been supplying between 20 and 30 tons of flour per day, has halted its contributions.
At the same time, the World Food Programme reduced its daily flour deliveries from 300 tons to 200 tons.
Officials said Gaza requires approximately 450 tons of flour per day to meet basic needs, but only about 200 tons are currently available, creating a significant shortfall.
Bakeries Struggle
Around 30 bakeries are currently operating across Gaza, producing approximately 133,000 bundles of bread per day.
Of these, about 48,000 are distributed free of charge, while 85,000 are sold at subsidized prices.
Authorities said these quantities are insufficient to meet the growing demand, as more families rely on subsidized bread amid deteriorating economic conditions.
The Government Media Office warned that the continued decline in humanitarian support could lead to a “complete collapse” of the bread production system.
Such a collapse, it said, would significantly worsen already dire living conditions across the Strip.
Urgent Action
The statement also addressed recent international claims regarding aid entry into Gaza, saying that reports of hundreds of trucks entering daily do not reflect the reality on the ground.
It called on the international community and relevant authorities to take urgent action to ensure the flow of humanitarian aid and the full reopening of crossings.
Officials warned of “serious humanitarian consequences” if the current situation continues.
Genocide and Human Toll
This crisis is unfolding within Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza, where hunger, aid restrictions, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure have turned access to bread into a matter of survival.
According to WAFA, the official Palestinian Authority news agency, at least 72,329 Palestinians have been killed and 172,192 wounded since October 2023.
Palestinian media also report that about 10,000 remain missing, most believed trapped under the rubble.
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