Humanitarian agencies delivered food parcels and wheat flour to more than 600,000 people in Gaza as part of the August cycle, as hunger continues to deepen across the Strip, according to United Nations (UN). The update, published on 27 August 2026, highlights the ongoing work of the UN and its partners to reach families in need. About one in five families in Gaza reported eating only one meal a day, and 50 percent said they had completely run out of food at least once in the past month, according to the latest UN figures. Cash shortages and steep price increases since the escalation of hostilities in October 2023 have driven the crisis. The World Food Programme (WFP) and partners continue efforts to sustain deliveries despite significant obstacles.
The situation in Gaza remains marked by a fragile peace following a ceasefire signed by Israel and Hamas in October 2025. Ongoing hostilities and security restrictions continue to hamper local movement and recovery efforts. Frequent Israeli military strikes continue to kill and displace people across Gaza. More than two million people, almost the entire population of the Strip, have been driven from their homes. Most now live in makeshift or fragile shelters.
According to WFP, three-quarters of households in Gaza have faced difficulties accessing markets so far this month. Around 90 percent of civilian infrastructure – including homes, hospitals, water plants, and schools – is heavily damaged or destroyed. Most food items have become exponentially more expensive since October 2023. These pressures have made daily survival increasingly difficult for families. Humanitarian access remains constrained by the security environment.
Yesterday, the UN and its partners collected hundreds of pallets of supplies from the Kerem Shalom crossing, a vital commercial and humanitarian entry point located at the junction of Israel, Egypt, and the Gaza Strip. The pallets include fruits, vegetables and other food, as well as adult diapers, school supplies and fuel. Addressing the UN Security Council, Acting WFP Chief Carl Skau warned that “the link between conflict and hunger is deepening.” He noted that crises from Sudan and Gaza to Somalia and Yemen are pushing families toward impossible choices. The message underscored the scale of overlapping global emergencies.
Despite the ceasefire, the combination of destroyed infrastructure, mass displacement and restricted market access continues to undermine relief efforts in Gaza. Humanitarian partners are maintaining deliveries of food parcels and wheat flour through the August cycle. The UN emphasizes the urgency of sustained access through crossings such as Kerem Shalom. Ongoing operations aim to reach families facing severe food insecurity across the Strip. The response remains active as needs continue to grow.