Dhaka, Sept. 30 -- As Gaza's humanitarian crisis deepens, women say they have been exploited by men - some linked to aid groups - who promised food, medicine, supplies or work in exchange for sexual interactions.

The Associated Press interviewed six women who described such incidents, speaking anonymously due to fear of retribution and cultural taboos around sexual violence. Their accounts reflect a grim pattern seen in other conflict zones, where desperation and reliance on humanitarian assistance expose women to abuse.

One 38-year-old mother of six recounted how, weeks into the war, she was told of a man who could help her with aid and employment. Believing she was signing a job contract, she was instead taken to an empty apartment. T...