The UN food agency has paused delivering aid to northern Gaza, citing Israeli gunfire as well as “complete chaos and violence due to the collapse of civil order” in the area amid severe hunger among the population, Al Jazeera reports.

The latest suspension on Tuesday increases fears of starvation in northern Gaza, which has been almost completely cut off from aid since late October amid Israel’s devastating war on the enclave.

The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) said the decision “has not been taken lightly” as it risks people dying of hunger.

But it said that “the safety and security to deliver critical food aid – and for people receiving it must be ensured”.

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