The United Nations has reduced food assistance to 700,000 Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank as funding shortages deepen an already severe humanitarian crisis.
The cuts affect 500,000 people in Gaza and another 200,000 in the West Bank, according to the UN World Food Programme (WFP).
The reductions come as Palestinian families continue to face hunger, displacement and economic hardship following more than three years of Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza.
UN investigators have concluded that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, a finding Israel rejects.
Food assistance reduced across Gaza
The WFP has reduced the number of people receiving food assistance in Gaza from 1.6 million to 1.1 million this month.
The decision follows a major funding shortfall that has limited the agency’s ability to distribute essential supplies.
For displaced families, the reductions threaten access to food at a time when many households have few alternatives.
Thousands of Palestinians continue to live in temporary shelters after losing their homes and livelihoods during the war.
Many rely on humanitarian organisations for food parcels, prepared meals and other basic necessities.
Without consistent assistance, families face growing uncertainty over how they will meet their daily needs.
Displaced Palestinians describe growing hardship
In Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, displaced residents expressed frustration over repeated changes to food assistance.
Eid Abu Ashma, who fled northern Gaza, said families had endured years of suffering while aid deliveries remained unpredictable.
He questioned how displaced Palestinians were expected to survive when essential supplies were repeatedly reduced.
Adeeb Abu Samra, another displaced Palestinian originally from Beit Lahia, said his family of six depended heavily on humanitarian support.
He warned that further cuts could push vulnerable households deeper into hunger.
For families already struggling to secure enough food, the loss of assistance adds another burden to daily life.
UN seeks $450 million in emergency funding
Carl Skau, acting head of the WFP, has appealed for $450 million to restore food assistance over the next six months.
The funding would allow the agency to expand distributions of hot meals and food parcels across Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
However, the agency’s financial difficulties have already forced it to reduce the number of beneficiaries.
The appeal highlights the importance of sustained international funding for humanitarian operations.
Aid organisations face the challenge of supporting large displaced populations while securing enough resources to maintain their programmes.
Without additional contributions, further reductions could place more Palestinian families at risk.
Gaza faces lasting humanitarian devastation
The food assistance cuts come amid the lasting consequences of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
The campaign has caused widespread destruction, mass displacement and severe disruption to essential services.
Palestinians have faced prolonged shortages of food, clean water, healthcare and adequate shelter.
In September 2025, a UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel has rejected allegations of genocide.
The finding intensified international scrutiny of the humanitarian consequences of the war and the protection of Palestinian civilians.
Meanwhile, aid organisations continue to warn that insufficient humanitarian assistance could worsen food insecurity.
Families fear further hunger
For displaced Palestinians, the immediate concern remains access to enough food to survive.
Many households have exhausted their savings and lost reliable sources of income.
The reduction in UN assistance has therefore left families increasingly dependent on whatever support remains available.
Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly called for sustained funding and reliable access to communities in need.
The latest cuts underline the vulnerability of Palestinians who depend on international assistance.
Unless additional resources become available, hundreds of thousands of families could face further hardship in the months ahead.