RAMALLAH/GAZA, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Social Development Minister Samah Hamad warned that the food supply and social safety net in the Gaza Strip is at risk of complete collapse due to Israel's strict restrictions on imports and exports.
Hamad told Palestine's official radio station, Voice of Palestine, on Monday that the region, where more than two million people live, faces the highest prices of basic food compared to neighboring countries.
Hamad stated that aid kitchens have largely stopped their activities for about a month due to the depletion of vegetable, chicken and meat stocks, and that this has increased food prices to unattainable levels for the local people.
Hamad noted that the most vulnerable groups, especially the elderly, pregnant and breastfeeding women and children, are struggling to survive in conditions of serious and long-term famine as the Gaza war approaches its third year.
Agricultural officials in Gaza stated in their statement that Israel's attacks have seriously reduced agricultural production and significantly weakened the Gaza Strip's capacity to feed its population.