The head of the Gaza Bakeries Association, Abdel Nasser Al-Ajrami, said that all bakeries operating with the World Food Programme will close in the coming hours due to a shortage of flour.

He added in a phone call with WAFA, "The war of starvation is beating its drums again, starting tomorrow. Bakeries supported by the World Food Programme in the southern Gaza Strip will close today, while bakeries in Gaza and the northern Gaza Strip will stop operating starting tomorrow."

He continued: "Bakeries in the south have been closed since this morning, while bakeries in Gaza will close today and may be closed as we speak due to a shortage of flour."

Al-Ajrami said, "The reason is the closure and blockade imposed on goods, which led to a shortage of flour, diesel, and yeast."

He added, "This closure casts a dire shadow over the living conditions of Gazans, who are suffering the ravages of this brutal war, not to mention the lack of cooking gas."

He added that the association had contacted several entities, including the World Food Programme, adding, "Unfortunately, our appeals have not been answered. This is a pressing political matter, and we are only waiting for the crossings to open."

The Gaza Strip consumes 450 tons of flour daily, according to the association, and bakeries used to cover 50% of citizens' needs.

There are 140 bakeries operating in the Gaza Strip, including 70 automated bakeries. A large proportion of these were destroyed by Israeli occupation forces, particularly those in the northern Gaza Strip. The losses are estimated to be in the millions of dollars.