Israel has systematically obstructed food entering Gaza, aid agencies say, as a UN-backed body confirms a famine.

"An entire population is being pushed into starvation, destitution, and death,” said Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister.

Advocates are renewing calls for Canada to recognize a genocide in Gaza following the release of a new report. A joint media investigation using the Israeli military's own data found at least five out of every six people killed by Israeli forces in the Israel-Hamas war have been civilians.

An eyewitness told CBS News that American subcontractors at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites shot at Palestinians, a claim GHF denies.

For now the famine is centred in the governorate of Gaza, one of five in the strip. It is the most densely populated and home to Gaza city. By the end of September, famine is expected to spread south to the governorates of Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis (see maps).

In an environment like that of Gaza today, where most people live in tents or shelters with very little clean water, and with much of the sewage system destroyed, illness is rife and people with weakened immunity are at even greater risk, all the aid agencies said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday he will give final approval for the takeover of Gaza City while also restarting negotiations with Hamas aimed at returning all the remaining hostages and ending the war on Israel’s terms.