Tue Oct 21 14:31:10 UTC 2025: ## Gaza Food Aid Still Falling Short Despite Ceasefire, WFP Urges More Open Crossings

Geneva – Despite a recent US-brokered ceasefire, the World Food Programme (WFP) warns that food aid deliveries to Gaza remain significantly below the daily target needed to address the dire humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by two years of devastating conflict. The WFP is urgently calling on Israel to open more border crossings into the territory.

Currently, approximately 750 metric tons of food are entering Gaza daily, a considerable increase from pre-ceasefire levels, but far short of the WFP’s 2,000-tonne target. WFP spokesperson Abeer Etefa emphasized the critical need to utilize all available border crossings. “To be able to get to this scale-up, we have to use every border crossing point right now,” she stated at a Geneva news briefing on Tuesday.

Currently, only two Israeli-controlled crossings are operational: Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) in the south and al-Karara (Kissufim) in the centre. The WFP is still waiting for permission to use the main north-south Salah al-Din Street to allow convoys into Gaza City and the north.

Etefa stressed the vital importance of sustaining the ceasefire, brokered by US President Donald Trump, for continued aid delivery. The US plan envisions “full aid” being sent into Gaza. While an Israeli security official confirmed that humanitarian aid continues to enter through existing crossings, details on additional openings remain unclear.

The WFP has increased its food distribution points from five on Friday to 26, predominantly in the south and centre of Gaza. However, this is still far short of the 145 needed to serve the entire territory.

Adding to the complexities, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt will remain closed until Hamas returns the bodies of remaining deceased captives. While Hamas announced on Tuesday the return of two more bodies, concerns remain about the overall pace and impact on humanitarian access.

While some nutrition supplies for children and pregnant women are reaching northern Gaza, the quantities remain insufficient. The current food supplies are estimated to feed half a million people for two weeks. Distrust and fear of renewed conflict are driving many Gazans to ration and stockpile supplies.

“They eat part of it, and they ration and keep some of the supplies for an emergency, because they are not very confident how long the ceasefire will last and what will happen next,” Etefa explained.

The WFP continues to urge all parties to prioritize humanitarian access to prevent further deterioration of the already precarious food security situation in Gaza.

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