World Food Program calls for ‘urgent’ cease-fire in Gaza, warns its ability to help 'deteriorating'

GENEVA

The World Food Program (WFP) on Wednesday called for an "urgent" cease-fire in Gaza and warned that its ability to help the people of the besieged Palestinian enclave is “deteriorating.”

"People and children displaced in Rafah and across Gaza are beyond exhausted. And our ability to help them is deteriorating with every passing hour, every passing day," WFP said on X.


"We need an urgent ceasefire NOW," it said, adding that Rafah is “burning.”

Its remarks came after Sunday's Israeli attack on a camp for displaced people in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza, causing the deaths of dozens.

At least 45 people were killed, mostly women and children, and nearly 250 others injured, including serious burn injuries, after the Israeli strike.


Israel has launched a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023 following a Hamas attack, killing more than 36,170 people and injuring at least 81,400 others.

Nearly eight months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine.

Israel stands accused of “genocide” at the International Court of Justice, which in its latest ruling has ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its operation in Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.