DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli strikes killed at least 36 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on Monday, including a pregnant woman and her newborn, local health officials said. Israel meanwhile eased some aid restrictions as it came under mounting pressure over the spiraling hunger crisis in the war-ravaged territory.

The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees warned that airdrops are 'expensive, inefficient and can even kill starving civilians' and won't reverse the increasing starvation.

Israel announced Sunday that the military would pause operations in Gaza City, Deir al-Balah and Muwasi for 10 hours a day until further notice to allow for the improved flow of aid to Palestinians in Gaza,

As a humanitarian crisis worsens in Gaza, a high-level United Nations conference is underway in New York to try to revive momentum behind a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.

Dozens of ministers gathered at a United Nations conference on Monday to urge that the world work toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians, but the U.S. and Israel boycotted the event.

The conference aims to lay out the parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security. Dozens of ministers will gather at the United Nations on Monday for a delayed conference to work toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians,

Israel said Monday that more than 120 truckloads of food aid were distributed by the U.N. and aid agencies in the Gaza Strip, French news agency AFP reported. Both aid groups and people with family in Gaza described the situation as the worst it has ever been.