Thousands of Gazan babies will die without aid

A UN humanitarian chief has said 14,000 babies in Gaza could die in the next 48 hours if lorries of aid do not reach communities in the Strip.

Speaking to the BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme, Tom Fletcher said thousands of trucks of aid were “ready to go”, adding that the lorries contained “baby food and nutrition”.

Israel has accused Hamas of misusing and stealing aid, which Hamas denies.

The country’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Monday that “we must not reach a situation of famine”, adding that Israel will only allow a “minimal, basic bridge” to prevent hunger.