The leaders of Britain, France and Germany demanded Israel allow unrestricted aid into Gaza to end a “humanitarian catastrophe," after French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his country will become the first major Western power to recognize a Palestinian state.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is calling for Israel’s control of aid distribution to be replaced amid reports of mass starvation in Gaza.

Israel denies that it is responsible for hunger in Gaza. It called the countries’ statement “disconnected from reality” and blamed Hamas for undermining aid distribution and failing to agree to a ceasefire.

Israel’s military took journalists on Thursday to the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing to show what they claim is humanitarian aid awaiting collection.

Some of Israel’s closest allies have stepped up criticism of its restrictions on aid to Gaza, where doctors and aid organizations say people are dying of starvation.

Only a few weeks ago, President Donald Trump seemed confident a deal was days away that would end the fighting in Gaza, secure the release of hostages and allow aid to flow into an enclave where people are starving to death.

Health authorities say Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 21 people. More than half of those killed late Tuesday and early Wednesday reportedly were women and children.

News agencies including AFP, AP, BBC and Reuters issued a joint statement about Gaza journalists unable to feed themselves amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions on Thursday.