Famine fears deepen in besieged Gaza

Concern deepened Saturday over the growing humanitarian crisis in the war-torn Gaza Strip, with aid agencies warning of unprecedented levels of desperation and looming famine.
Dozens more Gazans were killed in Israeli strikes, the Hamas-run territory's health ministry said, after Israel's spy chief joined talks with mediators in Paris seeking to unblock negotiations on a truce.
Israeli leaders planned to convene to hear of possible progress in mediated negotiations on a new Gaza truce. Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said that the war cabinet would be briefed by the delegates.
As civilians in the besieged territory struggled to get food and supplies, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees warned Gazans were "in extreme peril while the world watches".
In northern Gaza's Jabalia refugee camp, bedraggled children held plastic containers and battered cooking pots for what little food was available.
Food is running out, with aid agencies unable to get into the area because of the bombing, while the trucks that do try to get through face frenzied looting.
Residents have taken to eating scavenged scraps of rotten corn, animal fodder unfit for human consumption and even leaves.
The World Food Programme said this week its teams reported "unprecedented levels of desperation" while the United Nations warned that 2.2mn people were on the brink of famine.
An Israeli delegation led by Mossad intelligence agency chief David Barnea travelled to Paris for a fresh push towards a deal over a ceasefire. Egypt, Qatar and the United States have been spearheading efforts to secure a deal.
Israel's offensive has killed at least 29,606 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest tally released by Gaza's health ministry.
Pressure has mounted on Netanyahu's government to negotiate a ceasefire and secure the release of the hostages.
Hamas said Saturday that Israeli forces launched more than 70 strikes on civilian homes in Gazan cities including Deir al-Balah, Khan Yunis and Rafah over the previous 24 hours.
The health ministry said at least 92 people were killed.