International humanitarian organisations are trying to ramp up efforts in northern Gaza as tens of thousands of Palestinians are going back to their homes, Al Jazeera reports.

“Since the beginning of the ceasefire, a lot of aid has entered the north. Unicef has brought in a range of items like hygiene kits and high-energy biscuits to address malnutrition for young children,” said Jonathan Crickx, chief of communications for Unicef Palestine.

“When I see how many people are moving north — and I was in the north in September and saw the level of destruction there — it’s going to be a huge challenge to support them,” he told Al Jazeera from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.

Crickx said basic services are missing, and water remains “a scarce commodity”. He pointed out that there is a desalination plant in Deir el-Balah, but the Israeli military has left no such infrastructure operating in the north.

“What’s really important when you see the scale of destruction is that everything is done to allow as much supplies in order to rebuild homes in Gaza and reestablish water systems.”