UN urges opening of all Gaza crossings to deliver three-month food supply
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has warned food aid cannot reach everyone in Gaza unless all border crossings are opened, particularly in the north where famine was declared in August.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has warned food aid cannot reach everyone in Gaza unless all border crossings are opened, particularly in the north where famine was declared in August.
The agency says it already has enough supplies in place to feed the entire population of the Strip for three months – if full access is granted by Israel.
One week into the fragile ceasefire, WFP has been bringing in an average of 560 tonnes of food each day.
“The ceasefire deal has opened a narrow window of opportunity, and WFP is moving very quickly to scale up food assistance and reach families who have endured months of blockade, displacement and hunger,” said Abeer Etefa, WFP Senior Regional Communications Officer and Spokesperson for the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe.
Speaking to journalists in Geneva, Ms. Etefa said teams and supply networks were fully mobilised.
Five distribution points now open
“We’re still below what we need, but we’re getting there,” she noted. Five food distribution points are now operating across Gaza, focusing on women and children. “Our goal is to expand to 145 distribution points across all of Gaza—that’s the scale we’re aiming for,” she added.
Aid agencies stress that sustained access and multiple crossings are essential to reach everyone in need. Only two crossings are currently open, and those in the north remain closed, restricting deliveries to the hardest hit areas.
“Roads are blocked and destroyed. This is a huge limitation to transport,” Ms. Etefa said.
Because of access and security constraints, no food distributions have yet taken place in Gaza City, only nutrition supplies for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN aid coordination office (OCHA), said the northern crossings remain closed “because the Israeli authorities have not opened them”.
He added that road repairs and clearance of unexploded ordnance are also essential for safety and access. “It is very important to have these openings in the north, as that is where the famine took hold,” he said.
170,000-tonne aid scale up
According to WFP, 57,000 tonnes of food are already pre-positioned in Egypt, Jordan and inside Israel, with plans to scale up to 170,000 tonnes – enough for 1.6 million people over three months. “Beyond that, we need to maintain at least three months of stocks at all times,” Ms. Etefa said.
On 16 October, 950 trucks entered Gaza, including eight carrying fuel and three carrying gas, according to OCHA. Around of third of them passed through UN-coordinated mechanisms.
© UN News (2025) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: UN News
Where next?
Browse related news topics:
Read the latest news stories:
- In Zimbabwe, School Children Are Turning Waste Into Renewable Energy-Powered Lanterns Friday, December 05, 2025
- Any Resumption of US Tests May Trigger Threats from Other Nuclear Powers Friday, December 05, 2025
- Businesses Impact Nature on Which They Depend — IPBES Report Finds Thursday, December 04, 2025
- ‘Low- and Middle-Income Countries Need Better Data, Not Just Better Tech’ Thursday, December 04, 2025
- For 78 Years, the Palestinians have Been Denied their Inalienable Rights & their Right to Self-Determination Thursday, December 04, 2025
- Fresh Lens For Nuanced Multifaceted Climate Solutions Needed Thursday, December 04, 2025
- UN and partners back new measures to help millions move from vulnerability to opportunity Thursday, December 04, 2025
- UN support helps Gaza mothers give birth amid collapsing health system Thursday, December 04, 2025
- Deadly storms sweep South and Southeast Asia, leaving over 1,600 dead Thursday, December 04, 2025
- African football legends join forces to give a red card to polio Thursday, December 04, 2025
Learn more about the related issues: