Famine fears and the new death toll are grim milestones in a conflict that began almost two years ago when Hamas attacked Israel.

The worst case scenario of famine is playing out in the Gaza Strip, where food and nutrition indicators have reached their most dire levels since the conflict began.

Amid growing fears of a looming famine in the war-torn Gaza Strip, France announced on Tuesday that it will begin air-dropping 40 tonnes of humanitarian aid starting Friday, in collaboration with Jordanian authorities.

Experts warned Tuesday that the territory of about 2 million Palestinians is on the brink of famine after Israeli restrictions and a breakdown of security have made it nearly impossible to safely deliver aid.