Full Breakdown
Escalating Food Shortages Threaten Gaza’s Children
By Drooid · · How we work
Background and Recent Restrictions
In early October, Israel halted commercial shipments into Gaza, a move that began on October 14 and further limited the flow of food and essential goods. The suspension was linked to a demand that merchants pay 10,000 shekels per truck, a fee Hamas later said was a voluntary contribution. Israel announced a gradual resumption of shipments on October 19, but the interruption coincided with a sharp rise in market prices and a reduction in humanitarian aid.
Impact on Children and Nutrition Data
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) cut its food-assistance programme, reducing the number of people it supports from 6 million in September to 1.1 million in October and halving food parcels per family. Daily hot-meal deliveries fell from 250,000 to 150,000. WFP estimates that about 1.4 million Gazans—roughly two-thirds of the population—face acute food insecurity.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 2,800 children were admitted for malnutrition treatment in September, including over 360 with severe acute malnutrition. Each month, around 3,000 children aged six months to five years require treatment. A UNICEF-supported survey found 12.2 % of children under five in accessible areas were stunted.
Local prices have surged: a tray of eggs costs 60 shekels (? $19.40); onions sell for about 10 shekels per kilogram, and tomatoes range from 10 to 15 shekels per kilogram. Families report relying on single-meal diets dominated by carbohydrates, leading to cases of protein-deficiency swelling in children’s legs.
Official Statements & Responses
The Israeli Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) reported that merchants said Hamas withdrew its payment demand, prompting the gradual reopening of commercial lanes. The WFP announced funding shortages forced the cut in food assistance, reducing the number of beneficiaries and the size of wheat-flour bags distributed. Hamas described the 10,000-shekel fee as a voluntary fund for war-affected residents.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We were affected immediately. We couldn’t find eggs or milk, and we don’t have the money to stock up on food,” — Huda, doctor
- “I don’t buy good-quality things. I buy only what we need and what we can manage to pay for,” — Soboh
- “I hope someone will help us and stand with us in these difficult circumstances,” — Raeda