airdrop

Israel also began allowing airdrops of aid, something criticised as inefficient, dangerous, and ultimately a distraction by humanitarian organisations.

In addition to airdrops, Israel said it would designate humanitarian corridors for UN convoys.

In the face of blistering international pressure and daily reports of deaths from starvation — aid groups said last weekend that more than 100 children have died from malnourishment — Israel allowed airdrops to resume last month.

Saar said 5,000 aid lorries had entered Gaza over the last two months, and that Israel was making "amazing efforts, including this week, by opening these humanitarian corridors, by airdrops by any possible means".

Tom Fletcher told the BBC he welcomed Israel's measures over the weekend to allow more aid into Gaza in the form of airdrops, and military pauses to allow food convoys to reach people.