UN warns of looming famine as Gaza bakeries shut down

Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the United Nations, has raised alarm over the critical food crisis in Gaza.

He said several bakeries have ceased operations due to acute flour and fuel shortages.

Dujarric revealed that only seven out of the 19 bakeries supported by humanitarian organizations in Gaza remain operational. However, these are also on the brink of closure, facing imminent depletion of essential resources.

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“This crisis coincides with parts of northern Gaza being at imminent risk of famine,” Dujarric said during a briefing. He also noted a “stark increase” in severe hunger affecting populations in central and southern Gaza.

The deteriorating situation reflects the humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged enclave, where residents rely heavily on aid-supported bakeries for basic sustenance.

The UN has consistently called for urgent measures to address Gaza’s food insecurity, emphasizing the need for unimpeded access to humanitarian supplies.

The lack of flour and fuel comes amid ongoing hostilities, with infrastructure damage and blockades further exacerbating the plight of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents.

The potential closure of the remaining bakeries could plunge the region into deeper hardship, intensifying calls for immediate international intervention.