Martin Griffiths accuses Israel of genocide in Gaza as blockade on aid continues and more Palestinians starve to death

Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 21 people late Tuesday and early Wednesday. More than half of those killed were women and children, health authorities said. Desperation is mounting in the Palestinian territory of more than 2 million,

A joint statement by 28 countries including Britain, Japan and Canada is calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza. They say that the 21-month war “must end now."

The aid agency says its buildings in the central part of the territory were attacked after the military targeted Deir al-Balah, which had largely been spared.

President Donald Trump was caught by surprise last week by Israeli actions in Gaza and Syria, and in both instances phoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “rectify” the matter, according to the White House.

U.N. officials, aid groups and experts have warned for months that Palestinians in Gaza are on the brink of famine without formally declaring one.

Since May -- when the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation picked up the lion's share of food distribution in Gaza -- nearly 1,000 people have been killed. Elizabeth Palmer reports.

The joint statement comes as Palestinians face worsening starvation, daily massacres at "aid sites" and the ongoing blockade of humanitarian assistance.