GENEVA - Israel's obstruction of aid into northern Gaza is pushing the area "beyond crisis point", with lives hanging in balance, the International Rescue Committee's (IRC) has warned.

"The Famine Review Committee is warning that famine is likely imminent, if not already under way, in parts of northern Gaza," said Bart Witteveen, IRC country director for the occupied Palestinian territory.

"This marks a sharp and alarming deterioration since last month’s IPC report that projected a tripling in the number of people facing catastrophic food insecurity in the coming months. The escalating crisis is primarily driven by the obstruction of humanitarian aid.

“Over 80 per cent of humanitarian aid into Gaza is currently blocked, with deliveries now at their lowest levels since October 2023. Before then, an average of 500 humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza each day. This level was already insufficient to meet the needs of the population."

He said the level of aid being delivered reached dangerous lows last month, with only 37 humanitarian lorries entering Gaza daily, increasing to 69 per day in the first week of November.

“We urge immediate lifting of restrictions on aid into and within Gaza," Mr Witteveen said. "The government of Israel must fulfil its obligations to ensure that people across Gaza can access food, medical supplies and other basic necessities needed for the survival of the population. Lives are now hanging in the balance.”