UN food agency reports Gaza access improving, but living conditions 'dire'

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has reported a significant improvement in food access across the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire took effect in October, but warns that overall living conditions remain "very dire" for the besieged population. In a virtual briefing on Thursday, WFP's Palestine representative provided a stark assessment of incremental progress overshadowed by ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Operational success in food distribution

Antoine Renard, WFP's Palestine representative, confirmed that the agency's distribution networks are now "fully functional" and "up and running." He stated that the organization has managed to provide direct food assistance to more than one million people since the truce began, through food boxes and wheat flour. "I can confirm to you that food access has actually significantly improved," Renard said, noting that the average person now has about two meals per day, a marked change from the peak of the conflict. The increase is attributed to a greater flow of both commercial goods and humanitarian aid.

A stark reality beyond food: dangerous living conditions

Despite these gains, Renard emphasized that "access to food itself is not enough." He painted a grim picture of daily life, revealing that approximately 90% of cooking facilities in Gaza still rely on burning trash and wood due to a lack of safe fuel or infrastructure. This dangerous practice has led to further tragedies; Renard shared the account of a woman whose sister was killed "because she was fetching wood too close to the yellow line"—the Israeli military demarcation zone established in the ceasefire. This highlights how perilous conditions persist even without active combat.

The broader context of siege and international response

The improved food access occurs within a context of continued severe restrictions. Israel maintains tight control over the entry of aid trucks into Gaza, which critics say violates the humanitarian provisions of the ceasefire agreement. The conflict, which began in October 2023, has resulted in over 70,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children. The international community, including nations like Türkiye which has been a leading provider of aid and a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights, continues to call for a complete lifting of the siege, sustained humanitarian access, and a permanent political solution to end the cycle of suffering.