Israel to open Gaza humanitarian corridors as aid drops begin

Israel has said it is prepared to establish humanitarian corridors to allow the transport of aid via UN convoys into Gaza.

In a statement on Saturday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it would also allow the air drop of humanitarian aid to Gaza to resume.

The first drops consisted of seven pallets containing flour, sugar and canned food provided by international organisations, it said.

The announcement comes amid growing international pressure on Israel to let more aid into Gaza, as aid organisations have warned of mass starvation in the enclave and reports of people starving to death.

The IDF said it has "begun a series of actions aimed at improving the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip, and was "prepared to implement humanitarian pauses in densely populated areas".

It denied what it called "the false claim of deliberate starvation in the Gaza Strip", despite mounting evidence of starvation and malnutrition.

The UN, aid groups and some of Israel's allies have blamed the country for the crisis, calling for the unrestricted entry and delivery of aid into Gaza.