"Hamas actively interferes with and disrupts aid distribution," Israeli Consul General Afir Okunis told Newsweek.

Britain said it would recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes steps to relieve suffering in Gaza and reaches a ceasefire in the nearly two-year war with Hamas.

The hunger crisis in Gaza has many asking if Israel had a deliberate policy of starving civilians. Israelis say that was never the case, but an ignorance of Palestinian suffering allowed an inconsistent government policy to lead to a calamity.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt joined 14 other countries in signing a landmark declaration at a U.N. conference.

Arab and Muslim states including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt have for the first time issued a joint call for Hamas to disarm and relinquish power in the Gaza Strip as part of efforts to end the war in the territory.