Mark Carney Urges Israel to Allow Food Aid Into Gaza as WFP Supplies Run Out

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged Israel to permit the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to deliver aid in Gaza, warning that "food cannot be used as a political tool" after the agency announced it had exhausted its stocks due to a sustained Israeli blockade.

The WFP said Friday that it had distributed its last supplies to kitchens providing hot meals, warning that the facilities would soon be unable to operate. No humanitarian or commercial supplies have entered Gaza for over seven weeks, marking the longest closure in the region’s history.

"Palestinian civilians must not bear the consequences of Hamas’ terrorist crimes," Carney emphasized, stressing that the WFP must be allowed to resume life-saving work. Israel denies claims of a hunger crisis, accusing Hamas of misusing aid — a claim Hamas rejects. The Gaza government reported famine conditions emerging among the 2.3 million residents.

Since a January ceasefire collapsed on March 18, Israeli attacks have killed over 1,900 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Gaza health officials. Israel continues to expand its buffer zone in Gaza. The conflict, which began after Hamas’ October 2023 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 hostages taken, has since claimed over 51,300 Palestinian lives.

Carney reiterated Canada’s commitment to working with allies for a permanent ceasefire and the immediate release of hostages. U.S. President Donald Trump also said Friday he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow food and medicine into Gaza.

Canadians head to the polls Monday, with Carney’s Liberal Party holding a narrow lead over the Conservatives in the latest polls.