GENEVA: The United Nations issued a cautious statement on Friday, warning that it will “take some time” to scale back the widespread famine declared in the Gaza Strip, despite a recent US-brokered ceasefire creating a “narrow window of opportunity.” The World Food Programme (WFP) emphasized that a full-scale reversal of the humanitarian catastrophe requires all land crossings into the Palestinian territory to be opened to “flood Gaza with food.”
The warning comes as the first significant aid convoys in weeks begin to trickle into the war-shattered enclave. Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took hold, the WFP has managed to move nearly 3,000 tons of food supplies into Gaza. However, officials stress that this is a fraction of what is needed to address months of severe hunger and deprivation.
“It’s going to take some time to scale back the famine,” WFP spokeswoman Abeer Etefa told a media briefing in Geneva, referencing the UN’s official declaration of famine in late August. “The ceasefire has opened a narrow window of opportunity. WFP is moving very quickly and swiftly to scale up food assistance and reach families who have endured months of blockade, displacement and hunger.”
A Daunting Logistical Challenge
The scale of the challenge is immense. Etefa outlined that while the WFP currently has five food distribution points operating, mostly in southern Gaza, the goal is to establish 145 to ensure comprehensive coverage. The recent opening of the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings has been critical, allowing a marked increase in aid flow.
Between Saturday and Wednesday, approximately 230 trucks carrying 2,800 tons of food entered the territory. In a positive development, Etefa reported that on Thursday, two convoys of 57 trucks—carrying vital wheat flour and specialized nutrition supplies—crossed into Gaza and reached WFP warehouses intact, ready for immediate distribution.
“We’re still below what we need, but we’re getting there,” she stated, acknowledging the progress while underscoring the existing gap.
Beyond Sustenance: The Symbolism of Bread
A key focus of the relief effort is restarting bakeries, which provide a staple food for the population. As of Wednesday, nine bakeries were operational, with the WFP working to get 30 running throughout Gaza.
“Bread is extremely important. The smell of fresh bread in Gaza is more than nourishment: it’s a signal that life is returning,” said Etefa, highlighting the psychological importance of restoring basic services.
Call for Unimpeded Access
Despite the recent progress, the WFP and other aid agencies face a race against time. The ceasefire is temporary, and the underlying infrastructure in Gaza has been devastated by the conflict. Many roads are damaged, and the risk of a rapid deterioration looms if the truce collapses.
Etefa issued a clear call to action, urging for all land crossings into the Palestinian territory to be opened up “so that we can flood Gaza with food supplies.” She emphasized that logistical speed is directly tied to saving lives: “The faster we can move aid in, the more lives we can reach quickly.”
The WFP has now begun distributing nutrition supplies in Gaza City and the northern areas, where the famine conditions are most severe. “We are trying to push back on famine, especially for families returning home in the north of Gaza,” Etefa explained.
The agency’s overarching plan is to scale up operations to reach 1.6 million people—nearly the entire population of Gaza—over the next three months. However, achieving this ambitious goal is entirely contingent on sustained humanitarian access and a lasting peace, factors that remain deeply uncertain as diplomatic efforts to extend the ceasefire continue.
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