The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, said famine is happening in Gaza City, home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

The determination comes after months of warnings by aid groups that Israel’s restrictions of food and other aid into Gaza were causing starvation among Palestinian civilians.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that he had directed the immediate initiation of negotiations for the release of all hostages in Gaza and the conclusion of the war there on terms acceptable to Israel.

As Israel seeks to expand its offensive in Gaza, discontent is evident among some reservists being called up to serve once again.

Funeral services were held Wednesday for a young Palestinian woman who died in Italy shortly after being evacuated from Gaza last week, exposing Italians to the desperate plight of Palestinians in the besieged territory.

Aunts, uncles, cousins and other family of Palestinian Americans in the Milwaukee area have been displaced or killed, sometimes dozens at a time.

For nearly two years, Egyptian truck drivers have braved the only land crossing into Gaza outside Israel to deliver vital aid, but Israeli restrictions are testing their resolve to continue serving Palestinians in the war-torn enclave.

Meanwhile Israel's defence minister threatens that "the gates of hell" would be opening unless Hamas agrees to disarm and release all hostages.