Israel will allow a 'basic amount' of food aid into Gaza, Netanyahu's office says

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced his country will introduce a "basic amount of food" to the population of Gaza, in what appears to be a lifting of the total aid blockade in the war-ravaged strip.

In a statement, Mr Netanyahu's office says the decision had been made to ensure famine does not develop in Gaza and that Israel's expanded military campaign in the territory is not jeopardised.

Israel imposed a total blockade of all humanitarian aid to Gaza in early March, in what it said was an attempt to pressure Hamas into releasing the remaining Israeli hostages the militant group still holds.

Humanitarian agencies have been warning for weeks that Gaza is teetering on the brink of famine, and aid needs to be let into the strip immediately.

Mr Netanyahu's office has not explained what a "basic amount of food" is, but says any aid deliveries will bypass Hamas.