A worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza is leaving hundreds of thousands of displaced people dependent on irregular charity kitchens as food aid declines sharply and funding gaps widen, according to reports from the ground.

On Friday, hundreds of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla disembarked in Crete under the supervision of the Greek Coast Guard, following the interception of their aid convoy to Gaza by Israeli forces in international waters.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman has called on the international community to take decisive action to secure the release of vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla 2, condemning Israel’s interception of the ships as an act of “piracy” and “state terrorism”.

The United Arab Emirates has successfully dispatched an additional 100 tonnes of essential food supplies to the Egyptian city of Al Arish as part of its ongoing humanitarian mission for the Gaza Strip.

The Global Sumud aid flotilla plans to set sail again for war-torn Gaza from Barcelona on March 29, with significantly broader international participation, organizers announced on Thursday.

The United Nations has said that Israel rejected 107 requests to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip since the Oct. 10 ceasefire, blocking the entry of essential relief materials.

On Thursday, Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan stated that he had urged Israel to increase access to humanitarian aid in order to "alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians" in Gaza.