The president has in recent days acknowledged there is “starvation” in Gaza, a break with Israeli officials who have faced deep criticism over the humanitarian crisis there.

The local pause in fighting came days after ceasefire efforts between Israel and Hamas appeared to be in doubt.

As the death toll from two years of war in Gaza nears 60,000, a growing number of people are dying from starvation and malnutrition, Gaza health authorities say, with images of starving children shocking the world and fuelling international criticism of Israel over sharply worsening conditions.

Senate Democrats are imploring President Donald Trump 's administration to intervene as Palestinians suffer and starve in Israeli-controlled Gaza, with more than 40 senators signing onto a letter Tuesday urging the resumption of ceasefire talks and sharply criticizing an Israeli-backed American organization created to distribute food aid.

Gaza’s population is facing the “worst-case scenario of famine” and “widespread death” will occur without immediate action, the leading international authority on food crises has warned

The worst-case scenario of famine is playing out in the Gaza Strip, the leading international authority on food crisis said in an alert Tuesday as aid workers urge immediate action to avoid thousands of preventable deaths.