Middle East conflict pushing millions into hunger, WFP says

AI Summary

The Middle East conflict is exacerbating hunger for millions due to rising fuel and transport costs, increased food prices, and funding shortfalls impacting aid delivery. Regional conflicts including joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran have disrupted shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz, constraining global energy flows and supply chains.

By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA, June 5 (Reuters) - The Middle East conflict is pushing millions of people closer to hunger, as rising fuel and transport costs drive up food prices while funding shortfalls force aid agencies to scale back assistance, the U.N. World Food Programme said on Friday. Joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February triggered a regional conflict stretching across the Gulf and into Lebanon, disrupting key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, forcing vessels to reroute and sharply constraining global energy flows and supply chains.