WHO chief says “two million people starving” in Gaza

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said Monday that two million people were starving in the Gaza Strip while tonnes of food was being blocked at the border.

"Two million people are starving" while "tonnes of food is blocked at the border, just minutes away," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told opening of the World Health Assembly in Geneva.

"The risk of famine in Gaza is increasing with the deliberate withholding of humanitarian aid,” he added.

Read more: “We will take control of all” of Gaza Strip, Netanyahu says

“Israel” pledged Sunday to let a "basic amount" of food into Gaza to avert a hunger crisis.

The announcement came hours after the military said it had begun "extensive ground operations" in a newly intensified campaign in Gaza, and as “Israel” and Hamas engaged in indirect talks.

“Israel” has come under mounting international pressure, including from key backer the United States, to lift a total blockade on the Gaza Strip imposed more than two months ago.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Sunday that at the military's recommendation, "Israel will authorise the entry of a basic amount of food for the population to ensure that a hunger crisis does not develop in the Gaza Strip".

Such a crisis would jeopardise the army's new operation, it said, adding “Israel” would "act to prevent Hamas from seizing this humanitarian aid".

“Israel” said its blockade since March 2 claims to force concessions from Hamas, but UN agencies have warned of critical shortages of food, clean water, fuel and medicines.

Last week US President Donald Trump acknowledged that "a lot of people are starving", adding "we're going to get that taken care of".