The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is reaching alarming levels, with the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reporting that bakeries, crucial for feeding thousands, are on the brink of closure due to severe shortages of flour and fuel. Currently, only seven out of 19 bakeries supported by humanitarian partners remain operational, primarily in Derralbala, Khan Yunus, and Gaza City. The situation is dire, as parts of northern Gaza face imminent famine, while central and southern regions see a significant rise in severe hunger among households.

The World Food Programme has indicated that the operational bakeries are struggling to meet the overwhelming demand, with supplies expected to last only until the end of the week. Many bakeries have already ceased operations due to the lack of flour, and those still running have had to cut their capacity by 50% due to dwindling fuel supplies. These shortages are exacerbated by ongoing hostilities and delays in fuel deliveries through the Karim Shalon crossing.

OCHA has also highlighted a troubling increase in organized armed looting, which poses additional risks to aid workers and complicates humanitarian efforts. As of this week, Israeli authorities have facilitated just over 40% of the planned humanitarian movements in Gaza, with the remainder either denied or canceled due to security and logistical issues.

In a related development, the UN Security Council failed to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, further complicating the humanitarian landscape. Following the vote, discussions shifted to Myanmar, indicating the ongoing global focus on multiple humanitarian crises.