WFP slashes Gaza food aid by third as winter looms

The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced it must drastically reduce lifesaving aid in Gaza due to severe funding shortages, cutting the number of people it supports from 1.6 million to 1.1 million ^[1]. The cuts come as winter approaches and many families remain displaced and dependent on food assistance. Hot meals from community kitchens will fall from 250,000 to 150,000 daily, with some families near the so-called Yellow Line now receiving meals only every other day.

Families in hard-to-reach areas, including al-Mawasi in Khan Younis, have expressed despair. Mervat al-Satari, a mother of five, said she and her children rely on these meals to survive. Sawsan Bahloul, a mother of three, said even the current portions—usually pasta, lentils, and occasional vegetables—are too small ^[1].

The WFP has reduced flour and ration box distributions from 1.1 million to 600,000 people monthly and halted cash transfers for half a million people since July ^[1]. Despite a ceasefire agreed a year ago, reconstruction remains stalled, and Israel continues to tightly control goods entering Gaza through crossings. Over 80% of the population is unemployed, and most cannot afford food despite markets being stocked.

The agency says it urgently needs $450m to maintain critical operations over the next six months ^[1]. While it will continue supporting bakeries that supply one-third of Gaza’s bread and provide nutritional aid to 300,000 women and children, the overall situation remains dire. The Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) warned in July that 1.4 million people could face crisis or worse food insecurity through December 2026.

In the occupied West Bank, the WFP is still assisting 200,000 Palestinians, though it halved recipients in September due to rising food insecurity linked to settler violence and displacement ^[1]. The story was first reported by BBC News.