Gaza - Famine in the Gaza Strip can be averted if vital aid is allowed into the besieged territory, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said Sunday, more than four months into Israel's relentless assault.

"This is a man-made disaster," UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, of the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza.

"The world committed to never let famine happen again," he said.

"Famine can still be avoided through genuine political will to grant access and protection to meaningful assistance."

Joke of the Day Joke of the Day for December 20, 2024: The best Christmas jokes to get your funny on

Aid agencies have increasingly voiced concern for Gazans, whose lives and basic means of survival are at severe risk due to Israel's ongoing military attacks.

The UN has warned of looming famine threatening virtually everyone in Gaza, while the World Food Programme this week described "unprecedented levels of desperation."

Lazzarini – under pressure after Israel claimed UNRWA workers took part in Hamas' October 7 attack – said the last time the agency was able to deliver food aid to northern Gaza was more than one month ago, on January 23.

The UN humanitarian agency OCHA said the situation in the north of Gaza was "extremely critical," with concern also mounting about conditions in the south.

Authorities in the Palestinian territory said in recent days a number of children have died from malnutrition.

The health ministry put the latest death toll from Israel's assault at 29,692 people, most of them women and children.

Viral Video of the Day Viral Video of the Day for December 21, 2024: Seven-year-old stuns audience at Christmas performance!

Gazans have told AFP they have had to resort to eating rotten corn and animal feed unfit for human consumption, but even that is now running out.

Aid trucks come into Gaza from Egypt via the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom and Nitzana crossings, where checks are carried out.

COGAT, an Israeli defense ministry body governing civilian affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories, said four tankers of cooking gas were delivered to Gaza on Saturday. On Sunday, the Israeli agency said 245 trucks carrying humanitarian aid were inspected and transferred to Gaza.

Nevertheless, Israel has been accused of blocking many of the desperately needed food, water, and medical supplies Palestinians require to survive its brutal siege and bombardment.