Dwindling livestock feed due to Israel's siege could starve Gaza's animals

A lack of animal feed in Gaza is threatening the livelihood of farmers and could contribute to further hunger in the besieged enclave. 

The continuing blockade of Gaza by Israel is preventing livestock farmers from securing the fodder needed to feed their livestock. 

"A major disaster will hit the animal production sector in Gaza due to the lack of fodder needed to feed the animals," Gaza's agriculture ministry said in a statement.

A lack of fodder has already killed thousands of animals in Gaza and the ministry blames the shortages on the closure of a key crossing point between the besieged enclave, Israel and Egypt. 

"This was caused by Israel’s refusal to allow fodder through the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing since the launch of its military aggression on 10 May," the statement read.

The crossing is only partially reopened to allow humanitarian and medical aid to enter Gaza. 

The ministry called for "international and local bodies to put pressure on the occupation to allow the entry of fodder and grains needed to feed poultry and animals".

Before Israel began its two-week military offensive on Gaza, 68.5 percent of households in the strip were food insecure. 

Hundreds of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed 248 Palestinians, including 66 children. A further 31 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank. Rockets fired by Hamas killed 12 Israelis. 

Fighting was halted on Friday following a ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt.