Nepal, Aug. 23 -- The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees accused Israel on Friday of deliberately causing famine in Gaza after international monitors confirmed that famine conditions have taken hold in the enclave.

"Months of warnings have fallen on deaf ears. Famine is now confirmed in Gaza City," Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, wrote on X. He said the crisis was "by design and man-made," blaming Israel for blocking food and other basic supplies, including UN aid, for months.

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