EU leaders are calling for "pauses" in fighting between Israel and Hamas to allow aid into Gaza.
They say "rapid, safe, and unhindered" access is needed, as 27 EU nations express "gravest concern for the humanitarian situation" on the ground.
The UN's top humanitarian official says aid is "barely trickling" into Gaza, after days of warnings over rapidly depleting fuel supplies.
Martin Griffiths says civilians must have the essentials to survive. Israel disputes the extent of the fuel crisis - and accuses Hamas of stockpiling vital reserves.
UN aid agencies say they have begun to significantly reduce their operations in Gaza because they have almost exhausted their fuel reserves.
Meanwhile, Hamas says about 50 hostages being held in Gaza have been killed as a result of Israel bombarding the Strip in retaliation to Hamas's 7 October attack.
More than 1,400 were killed in the initial attacks on Israel by Hamas, and Israel says more than 220 people are still being held hostage in Gaza.
The Hamas-run health ministry says 7,000 people have been killed since Israeli air strikes on Gaza began - an increase of 500 since Wednesday