(CNN) – No food has entered northern Gaza since early October, and a million people are at risk of starvation, the UN World Food Program told CNN on Friday.
In August, about 700 aid trucks entered northern Gaza. In September, only 400 aid trucks entered the Allenby crossing on the border between the occupied West Bank and Jordan after commercial operations were halted, WFP added. No food trucks entered northern Gaza in October, the WFP told CNN.
On Wednesday, the WFP said in a statement that aid entering the enclave had fallen to its lowest level in months, forcing the organization to stop distributing food packages in October.
“Hunger is widespread and the threat of famine persists,” WFP added. “If aid flows don’t resume, a million vulnerable people will lose this lifeline.”
Meanwhile, two major bakeries in central Gaza have been closed for three days, according to CNN footage and bakery workers.
Local workers and residents told CNN that Al-Banna Bakery and Jadna Bakery in Deir al-Bala, supported by WFP, have stopped operating due to lack of flour and fuel.
“I am the head of a family of six. During the day I work, I can support my family. On the day we don’t eat, we don’t eat,” said Ahmed Abed, an employee of Al-Banna Bakery. “People are looking for flour, and we go to bakeries to see where we can get bread.”
Amjad al-Shawa, director of the Network of Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations, told CNN that shortages of flour and other produce have led to the closure of essential bakeries that produce bread as part of humanitarian aid.
“A majority of our people depend on this aid. Now, they are at risk of hunger and famine,” Al-Shawa added.
Bread remains the staple food for Palestinians and has become an important basic necessity since the war began a year ago.
Earlier this week, UN OCHA said: “September saw the lowest level of commercial and humanitarian goods entering Gaza since at least March 2024.”
After seeing signs of Hamas rebuilding, the Israeli military launched a new ground operation in northern Gaza on October 6.
The army has issued new evacuation orders for residents of northern Gaza, and it has expanded the scope of the “humanitarian zone” in al-Mawasi in the south. But some residents told CNN they are wary of trying to leave the besieged areas of northern Gaza, citing several Israeli strikes targeting Hamas militants in Israel-designated “safe zones.”
CNN contacted the Israeli military and said food and aid did not arrive in the enclave.
Journalist Mohammed Al-Sawalihi contributed reporting.
