GAZA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) issued an urgent warning on Friday over rapidly depleting essential supplies in the Gaza Strip, as humanitarian conditions approach catastrophic levels.

UNRWA Communications Director Juliette Touma stated in a social media release that prices of essential goods have surged exponentially in recent weeks, exacerbated by Israel's ongoing blockade.

"Infants and children are enduring severe malnutrition, with Gaza nearing a state of extreme hunger," Touma emphasized. She called for an immediate resumption of ceasefire negotiations, the lifting of restrictions, and unhindered access for humanitarian and commercial shipments.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, all crossings into Gaza have remained closed for humanitarian and commercial shipments since March 2. The UN described the current closure as the longest continuous blockade since the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in October 2023.

Echoing concerns over aid accessibility, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) confirmed in a Friday statement that no formal notifications had been received regarding the opening of Gaza's crossings for relief supplies. The ICRC reiterated its appeal for urgent humanitarian access to avert further deterioration of civilian welfare.

Also on Friday, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel's recent evacuation directives targeting expanded zones in Gaza City and Khan Younis, labeling the measures as a "systematic effort to annihilate Palestinian lives through starvation, medical deprivation, and forced displacement."

The ministry accused Israeli forces of escalating military operations under the pretext of countering "terrorist organizations" while endangering civilians confined to overcrowded shelters.

Earlier on Friday, Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee issued evacuation orders via social media, urging residents in multiple neighborhoods, including Shuja'iyya, Az-Zeitoun, and Khirbet Khuza'a, to relocate westward. The army cited "intensive operations to dismantle militant infrastructure" as justification, asserting the areas had become "active combat zones."

At least 1,542 Palestinians were killed and 3,940 others injured since Israel renewed its intensive strikes on March 18 across the Gaza Strip, Gaza-based health authorities said on Friday. Enditem

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