Harris Urges Israel To Increase Aid To Gaza, Citing The UN Food Report

Vice President Harris on Sunday urged Israel to increase aid to Gaza, citing a report from the World Food Program (WFP).

“The UN reports that no food has entered northern Gaza for almost two weeks. Israel must urgently do more to ease the flow of aid to those in need,” Harris said said in a message on the social platform X. “Citizens must be protected and have access to food, water and medicine. International humanitarian law must be respected.”

In one report released On Saturday, WFP said “the escalating violence in northern Gaza is having a disastrous impact on food security for thousands of Palestinian families” and “that key border crossings into the north have been closed and no food aid has arrived since October 1.”

The WFP reported that places like “food distribution points, as well as kitchens and bakeries in northern Gaza, have been forced to close due to” factors including “airstrikes, military ground operations and evacuation orders.”

“The north is effectively cut off and we cannot operate there,” Antoine Renard, WFP country director for Palestine, said in the press release. “The WFP has been present since the beginning of the crisis. We strive to deliver life-saving food every day, despite increasing challenges, but without safe and sustainable access it is virtually impossible to reach those in need.”

The war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas celebrated its first anniversary last week. More than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed since the war began on October 7 last year, when Hamas invaded southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people.

Tensions in the Middle East have since risen, with Iran launching a barrage of missiles into Israel earlier this month, following exploding pagers and Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

The Hill has contacted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

For the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video, visit The Hill.