GAZA (Palestine Foundation Information Center) One of the largest providers of food aid in Gaza has warned it only has enough flour to distribute for the next six days.
“We can stretch that by giving people less, but we are talking days not weeks,” Sam Rose from the United Nations’ Palestinian relief agency UNRWA told reporters in Geneva.
“Six of 25 bakeries that the World Food Program was supporting had to close down. There are larger crowds on streets outside bakeries.”
Israel in early March blocked the entry of goods into the territory in a standoff over the truce that halted fighting for the past seven weeks. The move has led to a hike in prices of essential foods as well as fuel, forcing many to ration their meals.
Israel resumed its relentless bombardment of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday after refusing to advance to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, drawing widespread international condemnation.
The first phase of the ceasefire, under which Israeli captives held by Hamas were exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, expired earlier this month. Since then, Israel has refused to advance to the second phase, instead imposing preconditions, restricting humanitarian aid, and stalling negotiations to avoid discussions on a full military withdrawal and a lasting end to its war on Gaza.
Hamas had sought to uphold the terms of the initial deal, which outlined a phased captive-prisoner exchange followed by negotiations for a permanent truce.
However, Israel has blocked progress toward the second phase and instead renewed its assault on Tuesday, refusing to commit to its implementation despite the agreement being signed by Tel Aviv.
Hamas has said it remains open to talks but insists no new agreements are necessary.
At least 591 Palestinians have been killed and more than 1,042 injured in Gaza since Israel resumed its war, Gaza’s Health Ministry said on Thursday, adding that 70 percent of the casualties were women and children.
