The UN World Food Programme will stop monthly food aid for 500,000 Palestinians in Gaza, blaming a funding shortfall.

People receiving WFP food or cash help will drop from 1.6 million to 1.1 million, cutting its reach by nearly a third.

Country director Shaun Hughes said the cuts are not about access. “That is because we do not have funding,” he said.

Food rations have been halved, and cash assistance has been reduced for 75,000 families.

Daily hot meals have fallen from 250,000 to 150,000, and some hard-to-reach areas will get meals every other day.

Assessments say 1.4 million people, two-thirds of Gaza, remain acutely food insecure, including about 200,000 in emergency conditions.

The WFP says it urgently needs $450 million over six months for Gaza and the West Bank.

Acting chief Carl Skau, visiting a Deir Al-Balah soup kitchen, said Gaza has no proper shelter, basic services or security.

Read the full article for more details on the Gaza aid cuts.