Israel’s aid blockade empties Gaza’s kitchens, World Central Kitchen warns

Israel’s closure of Gaza’s border crossings since early March has crippled World Central Kitchen’s (WCK) ability to feed hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, pushing the region deeper into a humanitarian catastrophe.

WCK reports that its food stocks have dwindled, forcing kitchens to shut down and leaving families without sustenance. Critics condemn Israel’s restrictions as a deliberate tactic to exacerbate hunger in Gaza.

• WCK’s two field kitchens, previously serving 133,000 meals daily, have exhausted all ingredients and fuel, halting operations.

• Gaza’s last operational bakery, run by WCK, has no flour left, ending production of 80,000 daily loaves.

• Over 80 percent of community kitchens reliant on WCK supplies can no longer function, leaving countless families hungry.

• WCK continues distributing potable water to Palestinian families where feasible, but this is insufficient to meet soaring needs.

• Trucks loaded with food and fuel remain stranded at Gaza’s borders, with additional supplies ready in Jordan and Egypt, blocked by Israel’s refusal to grant access.

WCK founder Jose Andres vowed to persist, stating, “Our pots may be empty, our cooking fires snuffed out—but World Central Kitchen will keep serving.”

WCK Gaza response director Wadhah Hubaishi added: “The borders need to open for World Central Kitchen to be able to feed people in need. If given full access to our infrastructure, partnerships, and incoming supplies, we are capable of providing hungry families in Gaza with 500,000 meals a day.”