On March 24, the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) said that Israel had finally banned it from delivering aid to northern Gaza, where the risk of starvation is greatest.
"Despite the tragedy unfolding under our watch, the Israeli authorities have informed the UN that they will no longer approve any UNRWA food convoys in northern Gaza," the agency's head, Philip Lazzarini, wrote on the X social network.
Israel did not immediately respond to media requests for comment on Lazzarini's statement. UNRWA spokeswoman Juliet Touma said the decision was conveyed during a meeting with Israeli military officials on March 24. It follows two written refusals to supply convoys to the north of the country last week. No reason was given for the decision, Tuma said.
Last week, a UN-backed food security assessment warned that if urgent intervention is not taken, famine will occur in northern Gaza by May./BGNES