Gaza’s community kitchens are shutting down one by one as Israel’s 60-day blockade strangles food supplies, leaving millions of Palestinians facing starvation with no relief in sight.
At a Glance
- The majority of Gaza’s 170 community kitchens have closed due to Israel’s 60-day total blockade
- World Central Kitchen has exhausted all supplies and halted operations, with its trucks blocked at the border
- U.S. is planning a new private-contractor managed aid system as UN agencies refuse to participate
- Food prices have skyrocketed with a 25kg bag of flour now costing $415 in Gaza City
- At least 11 World Central Kitchen workers have been killed by Israeli strikes since October 2023
Humanitarian Operations Collapse as Supplies Run Out
Community kitchens across Gaza are ceasing operations as Israel’s blockade enters its second month. The majority of the territory’s 170 community kitchens have already shut down, with remaining facilities expected to follow soon as food supplies and cooking fuel become unavailable. These kitchens have been a crucial lifeline for civilians caught in the conflict, providing daily meals to thousands of displaced Palestinians in what the United Nations has described as a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation.
World Central Kitchen (WCK), a major relief organization operating in Gaza, announced it has completely exhausted its remaining ingredients and fuel. The U.S.-based charity has been forced to halt its operations despite having trucks loaded with supplies waiting at Gaza’s borders. Their field kitchens and mobile bakery, which produced thousands of meals daily, now sit idle as the blockade prevents any resupply efforts.
Gaza faces humanitarian catastrophe as food and medical supplies run dry
Residents in Gaza face escalating hardships amid prolonged conflict and an aid blockade that has intensified humanitarian distress.Severe shortages of electricity, food, clean water, and medical supplies… pic.twitter.com/9frtFRucQV
— CGTN Europe (@CGTNEurope) April 27, 2025
U.S. Proposes Controversial New Aid System
The United States is preparing an alternative system to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza using private contractors. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced plans for “distribution centers” that would be protected by security contractors, with the stated goal of preventing Hamas from diverting supplies. Under this arrangement, Israel would secure the perimeters of these centers but would not participate directly in aid distribution.
The proposed system includes the establishment of a new non-governmental organization called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) to manage aid distribution. Initial plans call for four distribution sites serving approximately 1.2 million people, with the eventual goal of reaching all Gaza residents. The Biden administration is reportedly seeking funding from wealthy Arab Gulf countries to support this initiative.
🚨 The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened as a result of Israel's total blockade on the entry of humanitarian aid and goods and the ongoing hostilities.
🚫 Israel sealed 29 community kitchens and 37 aid distribution centers operating under difficult conditions in Gaza… pic.twitter.com/trKqfYdWy4
— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) May 9, 2025
UN Agencies Reject U.S. Plan, Warn of Famine
United Nations agencies have refused to cooperate with the American plan, expressing concerns that it could “weaponize” aid and potentially displace Gazans. The UN reports having thousands of trucks loaded with humanitarian supplies ready to enter Gaza if the blockade is lifted. Officials have repeatedly warned that without immediate action, Gaza faces imminent famine, particularly threatening children and other vulnerable populations.
The humanitarian crisis has created severe price inflation for basic necessities. A 25kg bag of flour now costs a staggering $415 in Gaza City, placing it far beyond the reach of most residents. Many Palestinian families report being unable to access sufficient food or medical care as the blockade continues. UN officials have emphasized that the current situation constitutes a man-made disaster that requires immediate political intervention.
Aid Workers Under Fire
World Central Kitchen has paid a heavy human toll during the conflict, with at least 11 of its workers killed by Israeli strikes since October 2023. A particularly devastating attack occurred on April 1, 2024, when an Israeli drone targeted WCK employees, killing seven international aid workers. Additional attacks in November 2024 and March 2025 resulted in more casualties among the organization’s staff and volunteers.
The international community, including the United Kingdom, has condemned Israel’s blockade and called for unhindered passage of humanitarian aid. José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, has repeatedly emphasized the urgent need for humanitarian corridors to be opened. Despite these appeals and the presence of ready supplies at the borders, the blockade remains in place, with diplomatic efforts thus far failing to resolve the crisis.
