Half million Palestinians face food aid cuts as WFP seeks emergency funding

The UN agency warned that without immediate funding, half a million Palestinians in Gaza face imminent reductions in food assistance, threatening to deepen an already severe humanitarian crisis in the territory.

The World Food Programme said the funding gap threatens to undermine its operations across the region, including vital food distribution programmes that serve vulnerable populations dependent on international aid.

The appeal comes as humanitarian conditions deteriorate in Gaza, where years of conflict and blockade have left the population heavily reliant on external assistance. The WFP operates one of the largest food aid operations in the territory, serving hundreds of thousands of residents.

Official data indicates that malnutrition rates have risen sharply, with children and elderly persons among the most affected. Food insecurity across Gaza and the West Bank remains at critical levels, with limited local production capacity and restricted access to markets exacerbating shortages.

The six-month funding requirement represents a critical test of international commitment to sustaining humanitarian operations in the region. WFP officials have stressed that delays in funding pledges directly translate to reduced rations and potential gaps in food distribution networks.