WFP State of Palestine Emergency Response External Situation Report #55

06 June 2025

Highlights:

• As of 31 May, since the limited resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza on 19 May, WFP moved 590 trucks from Ashdod to Kerem Shalom, of which 371 were collected inside Gaza. Only one-third reached their destination. The remainder were subject to offloading between Kerem Shalom and their destination, mostly by hungry civilians in desperate need of humanitarian assistance, but also in some cases by armed criminals.
• While critically needed aid is finally trickling into Gaza, the pace is far too slow to meet the overwhelming needs. Meanwhile, WFP has more than 130,000 mt of food ready to be delivered into Gaza and a functioning delivery network ready to provide assistance to up to 2 million people.

Situation Update:

• During the reporting period, most of the trucks that WFP moved into Gaza were offloaded by community members prior to reaching their final destination, some were looted by armed groups.
• Food prices continue to rise, with the price of a 25 kg wheat flour bag estimated to cost 1,200 ILS (around USD 350). Cooking gas is only available on the black market, with most families now relying on burning waste for fuel.
• WFP moved 590 trucks from Ashdod to Kerem Shalom, of which 371 were collected inside Gaza. Only one-third reached their destination.
• WFP’s assessment is that theft of commodities is undertaken mainly by hungry civilian crowds, gathering at any sign of aid.
• There is also some organised criminal looting by armed gangs, estimated by WFP field monitors to be about 20 percent of cases.
• Repeated looting incidents reflect the growing desperation and worsening food crisis across the Gaza Strip, which is a direct consequence of over 80 days of complete blockade.
• Operations in Kerem Shalom are highly unpredictable, with many bureaucratic restrictions and extended Israeli security clearance impacting both cargo collection and staff movements Live conflict also impacts the feasibility of safe transit of food
• On 28 May, WFP warehouse in Deir al-Balah was breached by crowds. Around 629 mt of food, 25,000 litres of fuel, and spare parts were taken. Additionally, 59 WFP fleet trucks located there were severely damaged and rendered nonfunctional.
• Despite the undesirable, unsafe and chaotic ‘theft’ of assistance, which involves varying degrees of aggression, the one note of hope is that the market impact was immediate: wheat flour prices dropped noticeably on 31 May, albeit fleetingly, along convoy routes.
• Consistent, large-scale entry of food is urgently needed to stabilize markets, ease tensions and allow for regular distributions.