The UN humanitarian office (OCHA) has said that water supply through a pipeline from Israel to southern Gaza was cut off “for unknown reasons”, and that an announced repair of another pipeline to central Gaza did not take place, Reuters reports.

“At the time of writing, no water is provided to Gaza from Israel,” OCHA said on its website.

Significantly fewer humanitarian aid trucks have reached the besieged enclave than are required, UN officials said, and civil order has broken down with people storming UN warehouses in search of food.

“It’s a disaster on top of a disaster. Health needs are soaring and our ability to meet those needs is rapidly declining,” World Health Organisation regional emergencies chief Rick Brennan said, reiterating international calls for a ceasefire to enable a larger humanitarian operation.