UN Confirms That Combating Famine in Gaza "Will Take Time"

SadaNews - The United Nations World Food Program confirmed today, Friday, that combating famine in the Gaza Strip "will take time," calling for the opening of all crossings leading to the besieged and devastated sector to "flood it with food."

The agency stated that it has been able to transport nearly 3,000 tons of food supplies to the sector since the ceasefire brokered by Washington between Israel and Hamas went into effect.

In a press conference in Geneva, program spokesperson Abir Atifa said: "It will take time to reduce the famine" that has been observed since the end of August in areas of the sector.

She added, "The ceasefire provided a slight opportunity. The World Food Program is moving very quickly to increase food assistance and reach families that have suffered for months from the siege, displacement, and hunger."

Atifa mentioned that the World Food Program currently has five functioning distribution centers throughout the Gaza Strip, mostly in the south, but it seeks to deploy 145 centers.

She added that the program has been able to use the Karem Abu Salem and Kissufim crossings in recent days.

Atifa stated that from Saturday to Wednesday, about 230 trucks loaded with 2,800 tons of food entered Gaza.

She continued that 57 trucks from two convoys carrying flour and food supplies crossed on Thursday and safely reached the World Food Program's warehouses, ready for distribution.

However, she confirmed, "The amounts are still less than what we need, but we are getting closer" to the required level.

By Wednesday, nine bakeries were operational while the World Food Program aims to have the number reach 30 across the sector.

Atifa confirmed that "bread is extremely important. The smell of fresh bread in Gaza is more than just nourishment; it is an indication that life is returning."

She called for the opening of all land crossings into the sector "so we can flood Gaza with supplies."

She added, "The faster we can get assistance in, the more people we can reach quickly."

The World Food Program will start distributing food supplies in the city of Gaza.

Atifa said: "We are trying to combat famine, especially for returning families in northern Gaza."

The program's plan is to increase assistance to reach 1.6 million people inside Gaza within the next three months.