The United States administration has asked Israel to stop targeting members of the civilian police force who escort aid trucks in Gaza, Axios reports.

Washington warned that a “total breakdown of law and order” is significantly exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the enclave, the outlet said, quoting three US and Israeli officials.

Israel claims the members of the police force are affiliated with Hamas, while US officials have said they “also include individuals who don’t have a direct affiliation with Hamas who are there as part of the Palestinian Authority’s remnant presence and security”.

As a result of the security vacuum, trucks that have recently entered Gaza have been overrun by Palestinians desperate for aid, the report said.