World Food Programme says ending aid for half million in Gaza due to funding shortfall

A Palestinian child receives donated food at a tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. | Photo Credit: AP The UN's World Food Programme said on Monday (October 19, 2026) it would end monthly assistance to 500,000 people in Gaza due to a funding shortfall, while warning that needs remained acute."As of this month, we're now cutting half a million people from the number of people that we're assisting," Shaun Hughes, the WFP country director, told AFP.The reductions bring down to 1.1 million people - still roughly half of war-battered Gaza's population - the number of Palestinians receiving WFP aid either in food or cash assistance. Published - October 19, 2026 01:27 pm IST