Egypt Doubles Flour Shipments to Gaza Amid Famine Fears

Egypt has begun doubling its flour shipments to the Gaza Strip following warnings of an impending famine. The move comes after a series of appeals from Gaza residents who reported difficulties in obtaining bread. Cairo has recognized the urgent need to prevent the situation from worsening and to counter Israeli statements suggesting forced Palestinian displacement.

Since last Saturday, Egypt has increased the number of flour shipments to Gaza. The Egyptian Committee for Gaza Relief has been instrumental in this effort, reopening 20 bakeries that had previously shut down and establishing new ones. The committee, along with international organizations such as the World Food Programme and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, distributes hundreds of thousands of loaves of bread daily to citizens.

Egyptian trucks carrying tens of thousands of tons of flour daily are sent to Gaza. The flour is distributed to bakeries at no cost, with the bread sold to Gaza residents at low, symbolic prices. Women in Gaza have turned to baking bread near tents, but they face challenges due to limited resources and reduced flour supplies.

In areas where Israeli restrictions prevent the operation of bakeries, the Egyptian committee and international organizations distribute large quantities of bread. The committee's bakeries provide free bread to those in need and distribute it to tents, supporting Gaza's residents and meeting their basic needs.

The humanitarian aid entering Gaza daily is insufficient to meet the needs of a quarter of its population, highlighting the need for increased humanitarian efforts from other organizations and institutions.