The Latest | UN tells Israel it will pause aid work in Gaza without better safety, UN officials say [Video]

Senior U.N. officials have told Israel they will suspend aid operations across Gaza unless urgent steps are taken to better protect humanitarian workers from Israeli strikes and to curb growing lawlessness hindering aid efforts, two U.N. officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing negotiations with Israeli officials.

The Israeli army declined to comment Tuesday on the U.N. ultimatum, and the Defense Ministry did not return requests for comment. Israel has acknowledged some military strikes on humanitarian workers, including an April attack that killed seven workers with the World Central Kitchen, and denied allegations of others. Israel says any such strikes are mistakes.

International criticism is growing over Israel’s campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip as Palestinians face severe and widespread hunger. The eight-month war has largely cut off the flow of food, medicine and basic goods to Gaza, and people there are now totally dependent on aid. The top United Nations court has concluded there is a “plausible risk …