Amid escalating tensions and severe food shortages, World Central Kitchen has reignited its operations in Gaza, cooking nearly 10,000 meals just days ago. Founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, this vital organization had to pause its activities for almost seven weeks after cooperation halted due to Israel's blockade, which began in March. The charity reported that they couldn't provide crucial meals or bread during this period. Israeli officials justified the blockade, claiming it was designed to prevent Hamas from stealing resources, but this has been widely criticized as collective punishment by international agencies amid rising hunger concerns.
Since October 2023, World Central Kitchen has served over 133 million meals, positioning it as a lifeline for families struggling in Gaza. The situation has grown dire as food and cooking fuel dwindles, leaving many reliant solely on the charity for daily nutrition. Even with Israel permitting limited aid deliveries, the humanitarian operations are still largely uncoordinated, resulting in chaos and loss of life as people scramble for food.
Experts stress that a significant increase in aid is necessary to restore stability and trust within the community. Meanwhile, local bakers report being unable to operate due to overwhelming demand and desperation among the population.
