At least 61 people were killed this weekend, including some who were waiting in line for aid, “a number of starving children” and a group recovered in Khan Younis, according to a spokesperson for Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) says the air drops "might help" but notes that the "most vulnerable" in Gaza would still struggle to access essential supplies.

United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher has demanded that Israel provide evidence for its accusations that staff with the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs were affiliated with Palestinian militants Hamas,

Israel has long restricted or completely blocked aid to Gaza on the argument that Hamas steals it to use as a weapon of control over the population.

Plus: Hundreds of people have been killed in recent weeks trying to reach food, mostly in mass shootings by Israeli soldiers.

Gazans are in desperate need of essentials after more than 21 months of war, but efforts to get aid into the Palestinian territory - and to its hungry residents - face major obstacles.

In a joint statement the countries call for an end to the war and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.