HAMILTON, Canada

The UN on Monday reported a sharp decline in food assistance in the Gaza Strip, with the number of hot meals distributed dropping by 70% in just five days.

"Our partners on the ground report that the number of hot meals served by those community kitchens that are still operating is declining very quickly," spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at a news conference.

"Today, about 260,000 meals have been prepared and delivered across the Gaza Strip. That marks a decrease compared to 840,000 meals last Wednesday, a 70% reduction of 580,000 daily meals in just five days," he added.

Emphasizing that humanitarian aid is "not limited to food," Dujarric noted that "it includes visiting people in their communities, assessing what they need, identifying those at risk of being left behind, and mobilizing support across sectors – food, but also water, hygiene, health, nutrition, education, protection and beyond.”

"Health care in Gaza is hanging by a thread, with hospitals facing mass casualty incidents amid severe shortages of supplies, equipment, blood and staff," he warned.

He added that "the fuel that powers health care and water facilities is also being rationed and running out."

Since March 2, Israel has kept Gaza crossings closed to food, medical and humanitarian aid, deepening an already humanitarian crisis in the enclave, according to the government, human rights groups and international reports.

Nearly 53,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in a brutal Israeli onslaught since October 2023, most of them women and children.