Israel Stocks Gaza Markets with Low-Nutrition, High-Calorie Foods

Israeli authorities continue to engineer the famine in Gaza and control food and aid entering the strip, flooding its markets with processed, high-calorie items. Fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, dairy, eggs, and grains remain scarce.

Dr. Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Government Media Office in Gaza, told Quds News Network (QNN) that the items allowed into the Strip are often highly processed, high-calorie foods with low nutritional value. Basic staples such as fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs, dairy, meat, grains, and legumes remain restricted.

“These foods do not improve food security or public health. Instead, they deepen hunger and chronic malnutrition,” Dr. Al Thawsbta said. He emphasized that children, women, and the elderly are the most affected. He described the policy as a form of “systematic starvation,” using food as a tool of political and humanitarian pressure. He added that these actions violate international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit depriving civilians of essential food and medicine.

Between October 10 and 31, 2025, only 3,203 trucks entered Gaza, including 2,564 aid trucks and 639 commercial trucks. That is far below the 600 trucks per day agreed upon in official arrangements, amounting to just 24% of expected entries.

Dr. Al-Thawabta noted that the content of the trucks matters more than the number. Most contained non-essential goods like coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and dry snacks. Critical items such as medicines, fuel, construction materials, and health supplies were severely restricted. Only 115 fuel trucks entered during this period, just 10% of the required 1,100. Only four trucks carried medical supplies.

“The Israeli policy selectively allows goods that do not support life or health, while blocking essential items. The market may appear active, but in reality, the blockade continues to suffocate civilians and intensify the humanitarian crisis,” Dr. Al-Thawabta said.

The recent ceasefire includes a term requiring Israel to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Despite this, essential goods still face heavy delays. Residents report that the blockade continues to limit life-saving food and supplies.

Last August, the Integrated Food Phase Classification (IPC) officially announced that Gaza is subjected ti an Israeli-made famine. By the end of last month, the total number of deaths from malnutrition in Gaza had risen to 447, including 147 children.