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.

At the beginning of November, the Biden administration ramped up criticism of Israel for not doing enough to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza as a deadline loomed for Israeli officials to meet certain requirements or risk potential restrictions on military assistance.

The IDF is preparing to open the Kissufim crossing for aid entry into the Gaza Strip, a joint statement from the IDF and Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced on Friday.