The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is urgently seeking access to the Ashdod port in Israel to facilitate the delivery of much-needed aid to starving Palestinians in Gaza. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has exacerbated an already dire food crisis in the region, with restrictions on outside aid making it difficult for essential supplies to reach those in need.
According to WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau, the situation in Gaza is critical, with an estimated 2.2 million people on the brink of famine, particularly in the northern part of the territory. The agency is calling for increased access to the Ashdod port as a more efficient way to deliver aid, as opposed to relying on routes through Jordan or Egypt.
Skau emphasized the urgent need for assistance to avert a famine, stating that hundreds of thousands of people require immediate aid. Airdrops are not a viable solution due to the scale of the crisis and the challenges of ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most.
Israeli forces have previously blocked UN aid shipments at the Port of Ashdod, hindering efforts to deliver essential supplies to Gaza. WFP is advocating for increased access to the port and other border crossings to facilitate the delivery of aid directly to those in need, particularly in the northern part of Gaza.
The agency’s recent attempts to deliver aid to northern Gaza were met with obstacles, including being turned away by Israeli forces at a checkpoint and facing looting by desperate individuals. These challenges have further complicated efforts to address the growing food crisis in the region.
Skau highlighted the desperate situation in Gaza, where people are facing severe hunger and escalating tensions. The breakdown of civil order has added to the challenges of delivering aid effectively and efficiently to those in need.
In response to these challenges, WFP is calling for increased cooperation and access to key entry points such as the Ashdod port to ensure that essential supplies reach vulnerable populations in Gaza. The agency remains committed to its mission of providing food assistance to those in need and is working tirelessly to address the urgent humanitarian crisis in the region.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, it is crucial for all parties involved to prioritize the well-being of civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those who are most vulnerable. The international community must come together to support efforts to address the growing food crisis in Gaza and prevent a widespread famine from occurring.