World Central Kitchen, the charitable organization established by celebrity chef José Andrés, has officially resumed its operations in Gaza following a nearly seven-week hiatus due to the blockade imposed by Israel. The charity, which had halted its meal preparation and distribution on May 7 when food supplies dwindled, reported cooking nearly 10,000 meals on its first day back, coinciding with the successful delivery of aid for the first time in over three months.
The blockade, which Israeli officials claim is aimed at preventing Hamas from misusing aid for weapon smuggling, has faced criticism from the United Nations and other international bodies, labeling parts of the blockade as collective punishment that exacerbates the hunger crisis in the region. Evidence supporting claims of Hamas misusing aid remains unverified, heightening international concern.
In its announcement, World Central Kitchen expressed that the halt severely impacted families who rely on the charity for daily sustenance, indicating that since October 2023, they have provided more than 133 million meals in Gaza. Similar operational suspensions occurred in the past, such as last year when an Israeli attack killed seven of its team members, sparking global outrage and subsequent investigations that criticized the military's engagement protocols.
In the wake of dwindling staple food supplies and cooking fuel shortages, many families have turned to organizations like World Central Kitchen for assistance, despite ongoing challenges. While some aid began flowing into Gaza in mid-May through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's newly established distribution system, the process has been fraught with chaos and tragedy, leading to numerous casualties among Palestinians attempting to access food packages.
Abdel Nasser al-Ajrami, leader of Gaza’s bakers’ union, noted that many U.N.-supported kitchens in the region are still inactive, exacerbating the climate of desperation and unrest. The U.N. World Food Program emphasized the urgency for a large-scale increase in food distributions to restore stability and trust within communities desperate for sustenance.
