World must act now to help Gazans under Israeli blockade, UN chiefs urge

Israel has blocked humanitarian supplies and fuel from entering for five weeks - the longest period since the war began.

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A joint statement said Palestinians were "trapped, bombed and starved again" with supplies "piling up" at crossing points.

Israel has blocked the entry of supplies, including humanitarian aid, since 2 March, after the first stage of a ceasefire expired, demanding Hamas agree to extend that part of the truce. Hamas has refused, accusing Israel of reneging on its commitments.

Israel has said there is enough food in Gaza "for a long period of time", but the agencies said this was not the case.

"The latest ceasefire allowed us to achieve in 60 days what bombs, obstruction and lootings prevented us from doing in 470 days of war: life-saving supplies reaching nearly every part of Gaza," the statement said.