Gazans Suffer Under Blockade; IDF Blames Hamas for Stolen Aid

April 29 (UPI) -- A full blockade of Gaza is leaving civilians with little to no food since Israel on March 2 halted aid shipments following the breakdown of an earlier cease-fire agreement.

The U.N. World Food Programme dispensed its final provisions of food aid for Gaza’s families on Friday and currently lacks additional resources to provide, according to WFP representatives. announced on Friday.

"The UN World Food Programme announced today that it has distributed its final batch of food supplies to meal centers in the Gaza Strip," the unnamed statement reads.

The announcement goes on to say that these kitchens will likely exhaust their food supplies within the next few days.

Hot meal kitchens have served as the sole reliable source of food aid for individuals in Gaza over several weeks. Even though these facilities meet only half of the community’s needs, supplying merely 25% of their daily nutritional requirements, they continue to offer an essential support system.

Aid closure to Gazans

According to the WFP statement, no humanitarian or commercial goods have been brought into Gaza for over seven weeks now, as all principal entry points at the borders of Gaza remain shut.

"The Gaza Strip is experiencing its most extended shutdown ever, which is worsening the already precarious conditions of local markets and food supply chains," according to the WFP.

The World Food Programme reports that food prices have surged up to 1,400 percent compared to levels during the ceasefire.

Critical food items are scarce, leading to significant nutritional worries for at-risk groups.

According to the WFP, there are over 116,000 metric tons of food aid staged at entry points into Gaza, sufficient to provide sustenance for one million individuals for as long as four months.

Gaza is home to over 2 million individuals who largely rely on assistance; however, the comprehensive blockade imposed by Israel has resulted in deficits of essential items such as food, medication, potable water, and materials for housing, according to reports from the U.N. announced on Monday.

"When I mix and cook, I feel deeply embarrassed about myself," Um Muhammad, who is residing in a Gaza City shelter, shared with U.N. officials.

Therefore, I hand out some bread to the children who approach requesting a slice.

Muhammad mentioned that she still has some flour left to assist in feeding her family of 11, but this supply won't last much longer.

She mentioned that they consume only one meal per day, sharing bread amongst everyone daily. Their diet consists of canned foods, lentils, and rice.

When their present stock runs out, Muhammad mentioned she isn’t sure how her family will manage to get food.

IDF: Hamas obstructs relief efforts

The UN has noted a rise in incidents of plundering in Gaza, with one such event occurring over the weekend when armed persons took relief supplies from a delivery truck in Deir Al-Balah and also robbed a storage facility in Gaza City.

In the recent six-week ceasefire period, up to 600 trucks loaded with humanitarian assistance entered Gaza daily, according to statements made by Israeli Defense Force officials. Jerusalem Post .

According to the IDF, Hamas is intercepting supplies from relief convoys rather than letting them deliver goods to the public.

On Sunday, IDF authorities likewise disclosed Hamas is using The UNRWA relief packages were used to hide weapons and ammunition.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) personnel conducting operations in the Rafah region discovered UNRWA relief supplies containing arms and ammunition close to a previous school and hospital site.

An image opened by UNRWA aid and supplied by the IDF reveals it held ammunition rather than provisions.