DaysofPal – Abdel Nasser Al-Ajrami, head of the Bakery Owners Association in the Gaza Strip, confirmed that only 4 out of 25 bakeries contracted with the World Food Programme (WFP) remain operational amid the ongoing Israeli siege.
In statements issued Saturday, Al-Ajrami explained that the four functioning bakeries are all located in Deir al-Balah, in central Gaza. The Israeli occupation, he added, is preventing numerous bakeries from operating by enforcing evacuation orders and designating certain areas as “red zones.”
In Khan Younis Governorate, no bakeries are currently operational due to the dire security situation, continuous shelling, and mass displacement of residents.
One bakery in Nuseirat Camp briefly reopened for a single day but was forced to close again after overwhelming crowds of starving civilians stormed the facility. The bakery ultimately returned its supplies to the WFP, stating it could not continue operations under such chaotic conditions. Al-Ajrami suggested that distributing flour directly to residents might offer a temporary solution, easing pressure on bakeries and restoring a minimal sense of food security.
In northern Gaza, he said, most bakeries have been either bombed or forced to cease operations due to the relentless bombardment. The few that remain are unable to function amid the escalating genocide and lack of resources.
Flour supplies remain extremely limited. Many governorates have received none, due to both Israeli control over aid trucks and the looting of shipments by lawless groups in Khan Younis.
Of the 140 bakeries that operated before the war, only 50 remain standing. Twenty-five are known to be still under contract with the WFP, but the status of the remaining 25 has been unknown since March.
On Friday, the United Nations World Food Program confirmed that it has yet to receive Israeli approval to resume direct distribution of flour and other aid to families in Gaza. Currently, the only option available is to work with a small number of bakeries to produce and distribute bread.
In an official statement, the WFP reiterated its full commitment to supporting Palestinian families but warned that the continuing ban on direct aid delivery only worsens the suffering—particularly among children, the elderly, and the sick.
The statement further emphasized that current conditions—marked by severe movement restrictions and limited supplies—are undermining humanitarian efforts and increasing the risk of full-scale famine.
The WFP called for the immediate restoration of direct distribution to address urgent needs and prevent the total collapse of the humanitarian situation.
The organization concluded by reaffirming its dedication to finding viable solutions and urged the international community and local authorities in Gaza to facilitate its mission during this critical phase.
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