The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, said on Sunday that Israel had officially stopped it from making humanitarian deliveries in northern Gaza, where the fear of famine is severe.

“Despite the tragedy unfolding under our watch, the Israeli authorities informed the UN that they will no longer approve any Unrwa food convoys to the north,” Philippe Lazzarini, the chairman of the organization, said on X.

Israel did not immediately respond on Sunday to media demands for comment about Lazzarini’s statement. The Unrwa spokesperson, Juliette Touma, said the decision had been relayed in a meeting with Israeli military officials on Sunday.

It followed two denials in writing for convoy deliveries to the north last week. No rationale for the decision was given, Touma said.

Last week, a UN-backed food security report warned that hunger was forecast to strike the north of Gaza by May unless there was prompt intervention. Unrwa has not been able to deliver food to the north since January 29, Touma said.