Sir, – Every day brings reports of violations of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Israel is continuing to shoot people dead beyond the so-called yellow line, which takes away at least 53 per cent of the Gaza Strip from Palestinians. Homes and infrastructure continue to be destroyed, and the promised flow of humanitarian aid is being deliberately obstructed.

Almost $50 million worth of essential goods from international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) remain stockpiled at crossings and warehouses, unable to reach those in need.

Israeli authorities have rejected 94 per cent of all requests from INGOs on October 10th-21st to have urgent shipments of aid, including water, food, tents and medical supplies into Gaza, three-quarters on the grounds that organisations are “not authorised” to deliver humanitarian aid into Gaza. Meanwhile, a restrictive new INGO registration process further delays urgent humanitarian work.

The restrictions are depriving Palestinians from life-saving aid and undermining co-ordination of the response system in Gaza, which relies on collaboration between local organisations, national institutions, UN agencies and international NGOs. Unrwa must be allowed to do its vital work.

The humanitarian crisis is worsening as winter approaches and temperatures plummet. Families will only have flimsy tented shelters to protect them from freezing conditions. Thousands remain without clean water or healthcare. The situation is particularly dire for women, especially pregnant and nursing mothers who face acute shortages of food, medicine and safe spaces.

The majority of people simply cannot afford the limited food available in the markets. In some areas, aid trucks have been looted out of desperation. Palestinian NGOs continue their work against the odds.

The reality on the ground is that this is a population still under siege, still suffering and still being denied the essentials of life.

Last week 41 organisations operating on the ground in Gaza, including ActionAid, called on the Government of Israel to uphold its commitments under the ceasefire agreement and international law and let