Aid supplies make their way to food-deprived citizens in Gaza
In the war-torn Gaza Strip, the food and aid distribution situation remains dire, with severe hunger and malnutrition affecting a significant portion of the population. Despite efforts by humanitarian organisations such as the World Food Programme (WFP) to deliver food aid, distribution faces numerous obstacles due to restrictions and logistical delays.
The WFP has around 3,500 metric tons (approximately 300 trucks) of food aid ready for collection at border holding areas. In the past week (19-25 July), it dispatched 349 trucks carrying approximately 4,200 MT of food into Gaza. However, only about half of the convoy requests (76 out of 138) were approved by authorities, causing long delays and limited access.
Aid convoys wait up to 46 hours for permission to travel inside Gaza on very limited routes. Once released, convoys take up to 12 hours to complete delivery missions due to damaged roads and checkpoints. Only two border crossing points remain open for aid convoys, severely limiting the number of trucks able to enter Gaza.
The Gaza Ministry of Health reports ongoing deaths from malnutrition. Since the conflict began in October 2023, 127 people—including 85 children—have died from malnutrition, with 5 more deaths in the last 24 hours. Nearly 900 Gazans have died in recent weeks trying to source food, with many deaths linked to private aid hubs where crowds gather amid dangerous conditions.
Israel has introduced limited measures to facilitate aid delivery, such as humanitarian airdrops and temporary pauses in certain civilian areas and corridors. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced the initiation of humanitarian airdrops for aid supplies such as flour, sugar, and canned food in response to growing international pressure amid the worsening malnutrition crisis. The IDF also announced a temporary "humanitarian pause" in certain civilian areas and corridors to facilitate aid passage, although specifics on timing and locations have not been publicly disclosed.
However, comprehensive, predictable access to aid remains hampered by security and political factors. Aid access remains tightly controlled and subject to significant delays and restrictions. The distribution of food packages often results in chaotic scenes, with Israeli soldiers securing the area frequently firing into crowds of aid seekers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently warned of a deadly hunger crisis among the approximately two million residents of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military has announced a self-declared humanitarian ceasefire in parts of the Gaza Strip every day from 10 am to 8 pm local time, until further notice. Corridors will be established from 6 pm to 11 pm local time to enable the safe passage of convoys of UN and other aid organisations.
Despite these measures, at least 32 people were killed while waiting for humanitarian aid, especially around the distribution centres of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. The aid drops, while well-intentioned, are seen as ineffective and costly compared to truck transports, and they pose a risk of injury to people on the ground.
References:
[1] UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). (2025). Gaza: Humanitarian Situation Update. [online] Available at: https://www.ochaopt.org/content/gaza-humanitarian-situation-update-1
[2] United Nations (2025). Gaza: Humanitarian Crisis Worsens as Malnutrition Deaths Mount. [online] Available at: https://www.un.org/unispal/document/ao20573/
[3] World Food Programme (2025). Gaza: Food Assistance Continues Amid Challenges. [online] Available at: https://www.wfp.org/news/gaza-food-assistance-continues-amid-challenges
[4] Al Jazeera (2025). Over 80 People Die at Food Distributions in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/26/over-80-people-die-at-food-distributions-in-gaza
- The community policy should address the ongoing crisis in Gaza, ensuring unhindered access for humanitarian organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP) to alleviate the dire food and aid distribution situation.
- The employment policy in the health sector must prioritize the prevention and management of chronic diseases, particularly malnutrition, in the Gaza Strip, where many residents, including children, are affected by severe malnutrition.
- In the context of health and wellness, a comprehensive nutrition policy is essential to increase awareness about proper eating habits and address the malnutrition crisis in Gaza.
- A proactive approach to food and drink policy could be implemented to combat the worsening malnutrition crisis in Gaza by promoting locally-sourced, nutrient-rich foods.
- Political leaders should implement policies that prioritize general news coverage, including updates on war-torn regions like Gaza, to increase global awareness and pressure for improvements in humanitarian access and aid delivery.
- Crime and justice policies should address the unsafe conditions surrounding aid distribution centers in Gaza, where numerous deaths have occurred due to chaotic scenes and inadequate security measures.
