Interview with José Andrés on 'Face the Nation,' August 17, 2025

Host: CBS News

MARGARET BRENNAN: Let's shift to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the Health Ministry, operated by Hamas, reports that starvation-related fatalities have reached 250, including 110 children, with seven deaths occurring just yesterday. We have Chef José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen, joining us from Jerusalem. He recently visited Gaza. Good morning, José. Granted, access to Gaza is quite rare as the IDF restrictively admits journalists. What were your observations?

JOSÉ ANDRÉS: It was just a single-day visit. I entered early in the morning and exited before nightfall. During this time, I toured one of our primary kitchens in Deir al-Balah, alongside inspecting several storages, one bakery, and our operational kitchens. The aim was to evaluate what more our teams require and plan to increase our food output, covering both hot meals and bread. This visit was crucial for supporting our efforts and personally examining the status of our kitchen operations.

MARGARET BRENNAN: While the UN reports starvation in Gaza, Israel's Premier claims the opposite. Can you clarify the facts?

ANDRÉS: Indeed, the situation isn't simply black or white. However, we are preparing special parcels for children we identify as extremely vulnerable. It’s important to remember that for many weeks, no food entries occurred in Gaza’s two million population. We are currently serving about 200,000 meals daily, but that's a mere 10% of the need. Although people in our service areas receive minimal sustenance like bread and some food, we require much more aid. Ensuring a continuous flow of supplies and having safe delivery routes is vital to avoid disruption. We need extensive support beyond mere food, such as medicines, particularly in hard-to-reach northern areas where desperation for food is evident.

MARGARET BRENNAN: For a prolonged period, the blockade halted food entries; the policy has now changed. Yet, as you aim to raise meal production to a million daily in Gaza, are resources like fuel and food accessible? Do Israeli authorities support this?

ANDRÉS: Aiming for a million meals is ambitious, relevant to our emergency and nutrition focus, yet we ask for broadened access for all feeding NGOs, including ANERA and others operating for decades in Gaza. Critical aspects involve internal truck logistics, which requires more vehicles. The trucks entering Gaza are transferred goods which need reloading into local trucks. Currently, 150 to 250 trucks manage to enter daily, but this doesn't meet the needs adequately. Massive expansion is crucial to prevent people from walking vast distances for food. At World Central Kitchen, we focus on providing meals where people reside to eliminate the necessity of lengthy and arduous journeys.

MARGARET BRENNAN: You're critiquing the Israeli model implemented with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which you find insufficient.

ANDRÉS: Addressing the needs of two million and beyond in Gaza isn't a one-entity task. More kitchens are beneficial. Presently, we partner with 80 kitchens beyond our major ones, but that’s inadequate. Increasing partner kitchen numbers and ensuring full bakery operation for bread production is essential. Fuel is necessary for these kitchens, particularly for large-scale bakeries like ours, currently producing 50,000 loaves daily. Diesel is crucial to maintain machinery effectiveness, and while one bakery is producing this amount, we need a greater network to fulfill the needs of two million people.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Before concluding, regarding an incident involving individuals posing as your organization's workers that Israeli authorities pointed out, what’s your reaction? Have these threats emerged before?

ANDRÉS: Though World Central Kitchen is relatively new, Gaza presents multifaceted challenges. This matter is still being reviewed internally and by external parties. Our commitment remains with the Gazans and Palestinians. Employing about 600 local Palestinians, our kitchens symbolize Palestinians aiding each other in these difficult times. Our aim is continuous support and empowerment for Palestinian self-sustenance.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Lastly, I heard about your conversation with someone who was recently freed. Could you delve deeper into your interaction?

ANDRÉS: Yes, I spoke with Iair Horn, whose brother is still detained in Gaza. Our two-hour conversation was deeply moving. The desire for his brother’s return amidst a significant strike for hostages’ release is palpable across Israel. Achieving the return of hostages must coincide with peaceful solutions, leading towards a ceasefire where everyone is safe, loved ones are reunited, and basic needs like food are guaranteed. The prospect for peace to reconstruct Gaza and restore normalcy for all, Palestinians and Israelis alike, remains our global hope.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Thank you for your insights, José.

Interview Summary

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