The United Nations warns that Gaza faces the threat of famine should the conflict persist between Israel and Hamas.

Approximately 500,000 people, constituting a quarter of households, are experiencing "catastrophic conditions," according to a report by the UN's Food Security Agency. The entire population of Gaza, around 2.2 million people, is grappling with severe food shortages.

Cindy McCain, representing the UN's World Food Programme (WFP), emphasized the urgency of humanitarian access for supplies to reach and circulate within Gaza. She stated, "No one in Gaza is safe from starvation."

The report, released by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) on Thursday, highlights that the quantities of essential commodities, including food, allowed into the Gaza Strip are significantly insufficient.

Despite aid trucks arriving from Egypt for weeks, the WFP estimates that only 10% of the required food is reaching Gaza.

A convoy carrying aid from Jordan entered Gaza via Israel on Wednesday, marking the first such occurrence since the commencement of the conflict.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is trying to agree on a vote calling for more aid to get into Gaza. The vote has been delayed for several days over the wording of the text.

The US has expressed support for the latest draft resolution after earlier voicing "widespread concerns" with an earlier version that called for a ceasefire - something the US is against, saying it would only benefit Hamas.

The new draft aims to create a mechanism to accelerate aid but makes clear it would involve relevant parties such as Israel.

It also calls for all available routes to be used for deliveries but does not seek an immediate end to the fighting.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Ambassador to the UN, described it as a "firm resolution that is fully supported by the Arab group".

Meanwhile, the fighting in and around Gaza continues. Hamas authorities on Thursday accused Israel of attacking the Rafah crossing - killing four people, including the director of the recently reopened Kerem Shalom crossing. Israel's military has not commented on the reported incident.

Talks had been taking place in Egypt to reach a new truce - similar to the week-long pause in fighting last month that saw hostages released.

But on Thursday they suffered a setback when Hamas said it would not agree to a release of some hostages in exchange for a partial ceasefire.

It said Palestinian groups had rejected the prospect of more hostages being released until Israel agreed to end the war. Israel has repeatedly rejected a permanent ceasefire with Hamas, saying it aims to destroy the group.

More than 240 Israeli hostages were captured on 7 October when Hamas broke through the heavily guarded perimeter with Israel, killing 1,200 people. A total of 110 hostages were released in the truce last month.

Earlier this week, Hamas said the number of people killed in Gaza in 10 weeks of fighting had passed 20,000.