“The confirmation of famine in Gaza City and the surrounding neighbourhood is utterly horrifying and is wholly preventable,” Lammy said in a statement

“The Israeli government’s refusal to allow sufficient aid into Gaza has caused this man-made catastrophe. This is a moral outrage.”

The UN on Friday officially declared a famine in Gaza, the first time it has done so in the Middle East, with experts warning 500,000 people face “catastrophic” hunger.

Tom Fletcher, the UN’s emergency relief coordinator, blamed Israel, accusing it of “systematic obstruction” of aid deliveries to the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.

The UK’s Lammy called on Israel to take urgent action to remedy the situation.

“The Government of Israel can and must immediately act to stop the situation deteriorating any further. It must immediately and sustainably allow unhindered food, medical supplies, fuel, and all types of aid to reach those who so desperately need them,” he said.

“The Israeli government must allow the UN and international NGOs to carry out their life-saving work without obstruction. Aid must reach those in need urgently and without delay.”

Lammy said the UK remained opposed to Israel’s plans to seize Gaza City.

“We desperately need an immediate ceasefire to enable aid delivery at maximum speed and at the scale required. This includes halting the military operation in Gaza City, which is the epicentre of the famine,” he said.

“The UK reiterates its condemnation of this military action, which will only worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian situation and endanger the lives of the hostages held by Hamas.”