Warning of widespread famine in the Gaza Strip

Abdel Nasser al-Ajrami, head of the Gaza Bakers Association, announced on Sunday that all bakeries in the Gaza Strip are closed due to a lack of gas cylinders.

The head of the Gaza Bakers Association added that there were two industrial bakeries and three semi-industrial ones, meaning all five bakeries have closed.

Al-Ajrami went on to say that there is only enough fuel for two weeks and that if fuel is not supplied, all bakeries in Gaza will be at risk of closure.

The head of the Gaza Bakers Association said that food warehouses are also almost empty and there are not enough flour and fuel reserves, raising the alarm of a food crisis in Gaza.

He warned that the blockade would continue, saying that Gazans would face the risk of widespread starvation and that urgent international action was needed.

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), had earlier warned that cutting off humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip could endanger the lives of civilians who have endured 16 months of brutal war.

The head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) added that aid to Gaza must continue at the same level as it has in the past six weeks.

Philippe Lazzarini said that many Gazans depend on humanitarian aid to survive. The head of the UNRWA said that humanitarian aid and basic services are non-negotiable and should not be used as a weapon of war.