Thousands of families flee west

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that thousands of families have fled westward in the Gaza Strip following another displacement order issued by Israeli forces covering parts of Gaza City.

In its latest update on Friday, the office warned that these displacement orders have exposed civilians to hostilities and deprived them of access to basic services necessary for their survival.

OCHA noted that all crossings remain closed, now in their second month, preventing any supplies from entering the Strip. The World Food Programme warned that food stocks in Gaza are running low, and that its assistance programs are gradually closing.

The agency noted that all bakeries it supports were forced to close last week, adding that food parcel distributions will soon end.

It reported that hot meals are continuing to be provided, but with supplies dwindling, a single hot meal provides 25 percent or less of an individual’s daily nutritional needs.