Gaza being subjected to forced starvation, top UN official tells BBC

Tom Fletcher, the under-secretary general of humanitarian affairs, says "we're seeing food set on the borders and not being allowed in".

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In an interview with the BBC, Tom Fletcher said he believed this had led to a change in the international response to Gaza.

Asked if his assessment of forced starvation amounted to a war crime, he said: "Yeah, it is. It is classified as a war crime. Obviously, these are issues for the courts to take the judgement on, and ultimately for history to take a judgement on."

Mr Fletcher also expressed regret for saying recently that 14,000 babies could die within 48 hours in Gaza if aid was not allowed in - a claim the UN later drew back - and acknowledged a need to be "precise" with language.

Israel began to allow limited aid into Gaza last week, after an almost three-month blockade had halted the delivery of supplies such as food, medicine, fuel and shelter.