Famine fears as aid cuts and shipment restrictions coincide in Gaza

Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip — Manal Abu Rabie, a displaced mother of six from Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, received news that the World Food Programme (WFP) was cutting food assistance to the enclave with fear about what is to follow in the coming days.Gaza has suffered from severe shortages of key staples such as eggs, flour and onions after Israel closed border crossings into the enclave on Wednesday. The prices of food and other essentials have skyrocketed, and families who can afford to do so have been bulk buying, in anticipation of a prolonged blockade.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Iran support for Houthis probed as Yemen war re-erupts and Saudi cities hitlist 2 of 3The night watch: Palestinians protecting their homes from settler pogromslist 3 of 3Doctors describe hospitals shattered by Israel’s genocide in Gazaend of listAfter the WFP announced cuts to food aid, the price of a bundle of bread rose from 5 to 12 shekels (around $1.60 to $3.90).Abu Rabie has already been struggling to provide food for her family and says she has little to fall back on if the support she needs is reduced after the announcement of aid cuts.“We were just beginning to say, ‘Thank Go...