Gaza’s last remaining food kitchens are shutting down as Israel’s 16-day blockade halts humanitarian aid

Gaza’s humanitarian crisis has deepened as Israel’s blockade enters its 16th day, forcing food kitchens and bakeries to close and cutting off critical humanitarian aid. Thousands of Palestinians who once relied on community food kitchens for daily meals are now left without options.

Omar Abuhammad, a coordinator with the Heroic Hearts organization, described the drastic reduction in food distribution.

“We had 80 pots every day that we were serving to people. Now we’re working on about 20,” he told Al Jazeera.

Before the blockade, 40,000 people in Deir al-Balah depended on the charity-run food kitchens. Now, only 10,000 remain able to receive meals, with fears that number will continue to decline.

Israel’s Blockade Prevents Essential Aid

More than 10,000 aid trucks carrying food, medicine, and supplies have been blocked from entering Gaza, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office Director, Ismail al-Thawabta.

“The occupation has also denied entry to 850 fuel and cooking gas trucks, leading to a complete paralysis of the transportation sector, the closure of bakeries, and a total halt to humanitarian operations,” Thawabta stated.

Hassan Radwan, a displaced Palestinian, explained the desperation caused by the blockade.

“In light of many crises, the closure of crossings for two consecutive weeks, we suffer greatly from a shortage of flour and a shortage of food,” he told AP.

“In the past, we did not depend on charity in any way. But today, we are forced to come to the charity due to scarcity of materials. Materials are very scarce, a shortage of water, shortage of food, and a shortage of everything.”

Humanitarian Organizations Call for Urgent Action

The United Nations children’s agency, UNICEF, has labeled the situation “urgent”, demanding that Israel restore access to water and electricity to prevent further loss of life in a region already suffering from 18 months of bombardment and siege.

Despite the January ceasefire agreement, Israel continues airstrikes on Gaza. On Monday, an Israeli drone strike killed three Palestinian men in the Bureij Refugee Camp.

“We were sitting, and suddenly, the drone came on top of our heads. I felt very scared,” a survivor told Al Jazeera.

“Without warning, a missile hit them. Some other people were injured. We climbed a hill to try to help them, and we were shocked to see a quadcopter overhead. We are so terrified.”

The Israeli military claimed the men were “terrorists” planting bombs near its troops.

Political Moves Toward Forced Displacement

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, suggested that the U.S. is considering “alternatives” for forcibly removing Palestinians from Gaza, under the pretext of improving their lives.

“I mean, I think we’re exploring … all alternatives and options that lead to a better life for Gazans, and, by the way, for the people of Israel,” Witkoff stated.

As humanitarian groups warn of imminent famine and aid organizations struggle to deliver relief, the blockade continues to strangle Gaza, leaving millions at risk.