World Central Kitchen charity halts work in Gaza as supplies run out
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Humanitarian aid with the logo of World Central Kitchen is seen in Israel on May 1, at the Kerem Shalom border crossing to Gaza.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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GAZA, Palestinian Territories - The US-based World Central Kitchen charity has halted work in the Gaza Strip, saying on May 7 that it had run out of supplies and been prevented by Israel from bringing in aid.
“After serving more than 130 million total meals and 26 million loaves of bread over the past 18 months, World Central Kitchen no longer has the supplies to cook meals or bake bread in Gaza,” it said on May 7, in a post on social media platform X.
The charity said it would continue to support Palestinian families by distributing critically needed potable water where possible, but vital food distribution cannot resume until Israel allows aid back into the enclave.
“WCK trucks loaded with food and cooking fuel have been ready at the Gaza border since early March. Additional food and equipment are ready to be shipped to the border from Jordan and Egypt,” said World Central Kitchen, which was founded by celebrity chef Jose Andres.
Israel has faced growing international pressure to lift an aid blockade
Israel has accused agencies including the United Nations of allowing large quantities of aid to fall into the hands of Hamas militants it accuses of seizing supplies intended for civilians and using them for its own forces.
Hamas denies the allegation and accuses Israel of using starvation as a weapon against the population.
A growing number of lootings of community kitchens, stores of local merchants, and UN headquarters has prompted Hamas security forces to crack down on local gangs.
Hamas executed at least six gang members last week, according to sources close to the group.
UN humanitarian agency Ocha has said that more than two million people – most of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million – face severe food shortages. REUTERS
