The foreign ministers of 25 Western nations have slammed Israel for “drip feeding” aid into the Gaza Strip, as the health ministry in the territory said that more than 1,000 people have been killed seeking humanitarian relief there since late May.

The head of the agency that helps oversee international aid deliveries to the territory had criticized the impact of Israeli policy on civilians.

In a joint statement the countries call for an end to the war and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

The closure of schools has removed a key social outlet for young people as they grapple with war, hunger and displacement.

Israeli tanks pushed into southern and eastern districts of the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah for the first time on Monday, an area where Israeli sources said the military believes some of the remaining hostages may be held.

Israel has launched a ground and air assault on the city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, where it had not previously launched a ground attack.

Razan was one of at least four children to succumb in the last three days, the youngest just three months. Over the past 24 hours, 18 deaths have been recorded due to famine in Gaza, the health ministry says, reflecting a deepening crisis in the territory.

The Israeli military published new evacuation warnings for areas of central Gaza on Sunday, in one of the few areas where the military has rarely operated with ground troops.The evacuation cuts access between the city of Deir al-Balah and the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis in the narrow enclave.