Gaza is facing an unprecedented food crisis as prices soar by more than 100 per cent following the closure of key border crossings by Israel, the United Nations reported on Monday.
The closure of the Kerem Shalom (Karam Abu Salem), Erez (Beit Hanoun) and Zikim crossings has cut off vital supplies, making basic food items unaffordable for most residents of the war-ravaged enclave.
According to UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, the price of flour and vegetables skyrocketed overnight after the crossings were closed. “Our humanitarian partners tell us that following the closure of the crossings into Gaza yesterday, flour and vegetable prices increased by more than 100 per cent, in some cases,” Dujarric said during a press briefing.
The blockade, which began after the expiration of the first phase of the temporary ceasefire agreement late on Saturday, has further deepened the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where over 48,300 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed since October 2023.
While the ceasefire had briefly allowed for a freer flow of aid, the situation remains dire. The UN emphasised that deliveries had been running more smoothly before Israel imposed the latest restrictions. “Since the ceasefire, we have not seen any of the looting that was previously reported. The flow of aid had improved, but this latest blockade threatens to reverse any progress,” Dujarric added.
The UN children’s agency, UNICEF, has warned that the suspension of aid deliveries into Gaza will have catastrophic consequences for children and families already on the brink of survival.
“The aid restrictions announced yesterday will severely compromise lifesaving operations for civilians,” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF regional director for the Middle East. “It is imperative that the ceasefire, a critical lifeline for children, remains in place, and that aid is allowed to flow freely so we can continue to scale up the humanitarian response.”
Between 19 January and last Friday, nearly 1,000 UNICEF trucks had entered Gaza carrying clean water, medical supplies, vaccines, therapeutic food and other essentials. Since the start of the ceasefire, UNICEF and its partners have also provided warm clothing to 150,000 children and expanded daily water distribution to nearly half a million people in remote areas, Dujarric said.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
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