The number of people facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity in Gaza is projected to increase three-fold in the next six months, according to the UN.

Its humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, said 60,000 children aged between five months and five years will become acutely malnourished over the coming year.

Nearly 133,000 people are suffering catastrophic levels of food insecurity and 664,000 people face emergency levels of food insecurity, it said.

“Whether people are on the verge of famine or in famine, they are in absolutely desperate conditions and this is completely man-made,” said Sam Rose, the senior deputy director of UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

Last month, the amount of commercial and humanitarian goods entering Gaza was at its lowest since March, which is expected to have “dramatic consequences” in the winter months, according to OCHA.

Between 1 and 21 October, out of 448 planned aid movements across Gaza requiring coordination with the Israeli military, 45% were denied, 36% were facilitated, 15% were impeded and 4% were cancelled due to logistical and security challenges, the UN agency said.

Just six percent of aid intended for northern Gaza via the Al Rashid checkpoint was facilitated by the Israeli authorities.