Israel is actively encouraging U.N. agencies and other aid groups to take over the work of the U.N. Palestinian relief agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, Israel's ambassador said on Monday, after banning the agency on Israeli territory in January.

Israel said Monday that it was "encouraging" other UN agencies and NGOs to take over the assistance provided in war-ravaged Gaza by UNRWA, after Israel cut ties with the aid agency. Israel, he said, was actively "encouraging UN agencies and NGOs to take over".

Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of UNRWA has warned that the situation in Gaza is "deteriorating very, very quickly", more than a week after Israel again halted all supplies from entering the Gaza Strip.

The hearings will open on April 28 at the court’s seat in The Hague, it said in a statement. The resolution, submitted by Norway in October, was adopted by a large majority. It calls on the ICJ to clarify what Israel is required to do to “ensure and facilitate the unhindered provision of urgently needed supplies essential to the survival of the Palestinian civilian population”.

UNRWA has been banned from operating on Israeli soil after it was accused of providing cover for Hamas militants. Read more at straitstimes.com.

There is a risk that Gaza experiences another hunger crisis if Israel continues to block aid, the head of the U.N. Palestinian relief agency (UNRWA) in Gaza said on Monday, warning the situation is quickly deteriorating.

Philippe Lazzarini warns of a renewed hunger crisis unless aid and electricity supplies resume.