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A three-ship convoy left a port in Cyprus on Saturday (March 30) to deliver essential aid supplies for Palestinians in Gaza amid raging war between Israel and Hamas. The convoy left with 400 tonnes of food and other supplies amid soaring concerns about hunger and potential famine in the blockaded Palestinians enclave. 

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According to a statement by the World Central Kitchen, the ships are carrying ready-to-eat items like rice, pasta, flour, legumes, canned vegetables and proteins that were enough to prepare more than 1 million meals, Associated Press reported. 

Also read | Israel-Hamas war: 'Open Arms', a ship carrying 200 tonnes of aid for Gaza, leaves from Cyprus

The ships are also reportedly carrying dates, traditionally eaten to break the daily fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

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The United Nations has repeatedly warned against famine in Gaza, especially in the enclave's isolated northern region. Authorities have warned that the humanitarian deliveries by sea and air are not enough and that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's administration must allow aid access via road. 

Also watch | Aid ship carrying food supplies from World Central Kitchen charity reaches Gaza coast

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The International Court of Justice (ICJ) told Israel to open more land crossings and opt additional measures to address the prevailing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the United States welcomed the formation of a new Palestinian government in the Palestinian territories of West Bank.

The Biden administration has called for "revitalising" the Palestinian Authority hoping that it can also be the administrative body in  the Gaza Strip after the end of ongoing war. The Palestinian Authority is headed by the President Mahmoud Abbas, who roped in economist Mohammad Mustafa as prime minister earlier this month.

But both Israel and Hamas reject the idea of Palestinian Authority administering Gaza. Hamas has also rejected the formation of the new Palestinian government as illegitimate. Abbas is least popular among Palestinians because of his purported support for security cooperation with Israel in the West Bank.

The war began after Hamas militants stormed across southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and took about 250 others hostage.

More than 400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers in the West Bank or east Jerusalem since Oct. 7, according to local health authorities. 

(With inputs from agencies)