People at Maghazi refugee camp, Gaza Strip on December 7, 2023. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Gian Carlo Cirri, Geneva director of the World Food Programme (WFP) said there is reasonable evidence that all three famine thresholds – food insecurity, malnutrition, and mortality – will be passed in the next six weeks.

Iran and Pakistan released a joint statement on Wednesday urging the UN Security Council to take action against Israel, stating that Israel had targeted neighbouring countries and foreign diplomatic facilities illegally. This followed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi's three-day visit to Pakistan amid an escalation of tensions in the Middle East. Calling Israel’s action a major escalation in an already unstable region, both sides called on the UN Security Council to stop Israel’s adventurism in the region and its illegal acts attacking its neighbours.

Israeli media said Israel is ready to deploy troops to Rafah, the Gaza Strip city Israel says is the last stronghold of Hamas. According to one source, Israel is preparing to evacuate Palestinian civilians displaced by the conflict who are sheltering in Rafah.

US President Joe Biden asked Israel to create conditions for new humanitarian aid, including food, medical supplies, and clean water, to be immediately delivered to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. He said Israel must ensure that this aid reaches the Palestinians in Gaza without delay.