ISTANBUL

The World Food Program (WFP) called Sunday for a ceasefire to ensure an organized and consistent humanitarian aid delivery in the famine-ravaged Gaza Strip.

“An agreed ceasefire is the only way for humanitarian assistance to reach the entire civilian population in Gaza with critical food supplies in a consistent, predictable, orderly and safe manner,” the WFP said in a statement.

Israel announced plans on Sunday for localized temporary pauses in fighting to allow aid deliveries through designated safe corridors after scores of Palestinians died of starvation in the blockaded enclave.

“WFP teams delivered 350 truckloads of food aid into Gaza last week under extremely challenging circumstances that put civilians and aid workers at tremendous risk,” the UN agency said.

Stating that it has food supplies that will be enough for all of Gaza's population for nearly three months, the WFP called for new measures to enhance a secure food delivery in the enclave.

“More than 62,000 tons of food assistance is needed monthly to cover the entire 2.1 million population,” it added.

According to WFP figures, over 470,000 people are facing famine-like conditions in Gaza, as one-third of the population hasn’t eaten for days.

Israel has imposed a blockade on Gaza for 18 years, and since March 2 has shut down all crossings, worsening humanitarian conditions in the enclave.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 133 people have died of starvation since October 2023, including 87 children.

Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has pursued a brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 59,800 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The relentless bombardment has destroyed the enclave and led to food shortages.

Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.