“We have to help also out the Palestinians. You know, a lot of people are starving in Gaza, so we have to look at both sides,” he said.

Israel says its decision to cut off aid to Gaza was intended to force concessions from militant group Hamas, which still holds dozens of Israeli hostages seized during the October 7, 2023 attack that sparked the war.

‘They were my sisters and daughters’

The military said that its forces had “struck over 150 terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip” in 24 hours.

A rival group, the Tikva Forum, called for more military pressure “coordinated with diplomatic pressure, a complete siege, cutting off water and electricity”.

‘Deliberate starvation’

For weeks, UN agencies have warned of severe shortages in Gaza.

And seven European countries, including five that have recognised a Palestinian state — Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia, Spain and Norway — issued a joint statement condemning what they called “the man-made humanitarian catastrophe that is taking place” and calling on Israel to halt military operations and lift the blockade.

The US’ aid plan for Gaza would only feed an estimated 60 per cent of the enclave’s population. Source: Supplied / United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)

In a statement of its own, Hamas said it “highly values the humanitarian and courageous stance” adopted by the seven countries.