The United Nations has called on world leaders to provide food for civilians in the Gaza Strip, as Israel’s "total siege" on the territory enters its ninth week.

This came in a statement issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which commented on Israel’s plan to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, saying that the plan "contradicts fundamental humanitarian principles."

The statement added that UN teams are ready to distribute essential supplies and services such as food, water, healthcare, and nutrition in Gaza.

It also warned that attempting to direct civilians toward conflict zones to receive food aid means that "large parts of Gaza will remain without food."