Speaking to journalists on Monday, Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that the latest distribution cycle represents a milestone. He explained that the January round is the first since October 2023 in which humanitarian partners had sufficient supplies to meet 100 percent of the minimum caloric standard for families.

This marks a major improvement compared to conditions at the end of 2025, when households were receiving only about 50 to 75 percent of the calories needed to remain healthy.

To further strengthen food access, the United Nations is supporting the daily production of around 170,000 bread bundles, each weighing two kilograms. Approximately one third of this bread is distributed free of charge to more than 400 shelters and community sites, while the remainder is sold at subsidized prices to ensure broader access.

Humanitarian deliveries have also increased substantially. According to Mr. Dujarric, more than 10,000 metric tonnes of aid were brought into Gaza last week alone through the Karim Shalom, Karem Abu Salam, and Zikim crossings. These supplies included food and cooking ingredients, animal fodder, soap and other hygiene items such as diapers, as well as winter clothing, blankets, and mattresses.

Together, these efforts are helping stabilize conditions for families facing prolonged hardship and reflect the scale of coordination now underway to meet urgent needs.

At the same time, humanitarian actors continue to emphasize the importance of maintaining access. More than 50 non governmental organizations have warned that recent announcements by Israeli authorities to suspend the operations of certain NGOs could hinder the delivery of critical assistance to civilians.

In a statement issued on Friday, António Guterres expressed deep concern about the potential impact of these measures and reiterated the need for unimpeded humanitarian access so aid can continue reaching those who need it most.

Despite ongoing challenges, the latest developments highlight meaningful progress in food assistance and humanitarian delivery, offering a measure of relief and renewed hope for families across Gaza.

Photo by Vitaly Sosnovsky