The World Food Programme announced significant reductions to its humanitarian assistance in Gaza, citing inadequate funding as the primary reason for the cuts. The agency will reduce the number of beneficiaries by approximately one-third, from 1.6 million to 1.1 million people. The cuts include reducing daily hot meals provided by community kitchens from 250,000 to 150,000 servings, and decreasing monthly food packages from 1.1 million to 600,000 recipients. Residents in remote areas near the Yellow Line, which marks Israel’s zone of military control, will receive meals every other day instead of daily.
The timing of the reductions is particularly concerning as winter approaches and most of Gaza’s 2.1 million population remains displaced. According to food security experts, two-thirds of the population faces crisis-level acute food insecurity. The WFP director emphasized that the cuts result from financial constraints rather than reduced need or access issues, noting the agency requires $450 million over the next six months to maintain critical operations. The organization received less than half its previous funding levels for Palestinian operations in 2026.
Economic conditions in Gaza remain severely constrained despite a ceasefire agreed a year ago. Unemployment exceeds 80 percent, and while food markets are now stocked, few residents can afford purchases. The WFP has already implemented reductions since July, including cash transfers to approximately half a million people. Additionally, the absence of cooking gas—classified by Israel as a dual-use item—forces families to scavenge for fuel to prepare food.
Displaced Palestinians reported that even current assistance levels prove insufficient for adequate nutrition. The WFP stated it would maintain support for bakeries providing one-third of Gaza’s bread supply and continue nutritional assistance to approximately 300,000 women and children. In the West Bank, the agency halved assistance recipients in September and continues supporting 200,000 Palestinians amid rising food insecurity driven by settler violence and displacement.
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