UNITED NATIONS, March 5 (WSH) — Food prices in Gaza have surged as humanitarian aid deliveries remain halted, raising concerns that aid supplies could soon be depleted, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned Wednesday.
Food prices soar amid aid shortages
OCHA reported that “flour and vegetable prices had more than doubled”, with local residents confirming drastic price hikes. The blockade has left “at least 80 community kitchens” at risk of running out of supplies, while remaining food parcels that “will support 500,000 people, will soon run out.”
Gaza residents described the worsening crisis, with one resident, Abu Qais Aryan, saying basic food costs “doubled over Sunday night.” The price of a kilogram of tomatoes jumped from five shekels ($1.38) to 10 shekels, while cucumbers rose from six to 17 shekels.
Netanyahu cites Hamas “stealing aid”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu halted aid deliveries over the weekend, accusing Hamas of stealing supplies and rejecting a U.S.-backed ceasefire extension. A Hamas spokesman called the decision “cheap blackmail.”
Netanyahu’s office alleged that Hamas “steals aid to finance its terror machine” and refused to accept a six-week ceasefire extension proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff. Hamas has denied stealing humanitarian aid.
International condemnation of Israel’s blockade
The foreign ministers of France, Germany, and Britain issued a joint statement calling the humanitarian situation “catastrophic” and warning that Israel’s actions “would risk violating international humanitarian law.”
“Humanitarian aid should never be contingent on a ceasefire or used as a political tool,” the ministers stated. Qatar and Egypt, who helped mediate the ceasefire, condemned the blockade, with Qatar calling it “a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement.”
Medical and humanitarian services at risk
The blockade is impacting all forms of aid, not just food. Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP) reported dwindling medical and hygiene supplies, while Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned that hospitals may run out of fuel for generators, threatening ventilators and critical medical equipment.
MSF spokeswoman Caroline Seguin called Israel’s blockade “unacceptable, outrageous, and will have devastating consequences.”
Gaza’s ongoing humanitarian crisis
The ceasefire, which began on January 19, 2025, aimed to end 15 months of conflict following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages. Israel responded with an air and ground offensive that, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, has killed at least 48,405 people.
Israeli government spokesman David Mencer claimed that Hamas “has hoarded for months and months of supplies”, stating, “They have enough food to fuel an obesity epidemic.”
As Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens, aid agencies and international actors continue to call for immediate relief efforts to prevent further suffering.
