Several United Nations agencies are again sounding the alarm on the rapid deterioration of humanitarian conditions in much of Gaza and the civilian toll of more than a year of Israeli military operations.

The U.N. Human Rights Office said on Friday nearly 70% of the fatalities it has verified in the Gaza war were women and children, and condemned what it called a systematic violation of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.

Nearly 70% of the verified fatalities in Gaza as a result of the Israel-Hamas war are women and children, according to a new report published Friday by the UN Human Rights Office. Why it matters: The report's findings indicate a "systematic violation of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law,

Hunger experts are warning that there's “a strong likelihood” famine is imminent in parts of northern Gaza where Israeli forces are conducting a major offensive.

There is a "strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas" of the northern Gaza Strip, a committee of global food security experts warned on Friday, as Israel pursues a military offensive against Palestinian militant group Hamas in the area.