WFP: We Cannot Carry Out Our Tasks in Gaza

The World Food Programme (WFP) announced that it has become impossible to deliver aid to the hungry in the Gaza Strip due to Israel's escalating attacks on targets there in its war with Hamas. Karl Skau, the WFP's Deputy Executive Director, stated in a statement after visiting the region on Friday, "With the collapse of law and order, any meaningful humanitarian operation has become impossible." He added, "With only a tiny portion of the necessary food supplies reaching us and the stark absence of fuel, along with cut communications and the insecurity for our staff or the people we serve at food distribution centers, we cannot carry out our work." During the ceasefire that collapsed last week, the UN agency demonstrated its ability to deliver aid if conditions are favorable, and Skau called for a "humanitarian truce." He stated, "We have food on trucks, but we need more than one crossing. Once the trucks enter, we need a safe and unobstructed passage to reach Palestinians wherever they are."