Israel will allow a “basic amount” of food into the Gaza Strip, the prime minister’s office has said, after facing mounting pressure to lift a total blockade imposed more than two months ago, AFP reports.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has said that at the military’s recommendation, “Israel will authorise the entry of a basic amount of food for the population to ensure that a hunger crisis does not develop in the Gaza Strip”.

Such a crisis would jeopardise the army’s new operation, it said, adding Israel would “act to prevent Hamas from seizing this humanitarian aid”.

Israel said its blockade since March 2 was aimed at forcing concessions from the Palestinian group, but UN agencies have warned of critical shortages of food, clean water, fuel and medicines.