The Israeli government on Tuesday said it would allow a limited number of approved Palestinian traders to facilitate aid distribution in the embattled Gaza Strip.

This is a new mechanism designed to engage the private sector in enhancing aid distribution.

The measure followed a government decision to expand humanitarian aid, according to COGAT, the Israeli agency responsible for coordinating its activities in the Palestinian Territories.

Israel has come under massive international criticism following the publication of numerous videos and images of starving Gazans and reports of dozens of deaths from hunger.

The aim is to increase the amount of aid supplies for the population, prevent the Palestinian Islamist Hamas movement from looting the aid, and reduce dependence on the UN. Under the new mechanism, a limited number of Palestinian traders, who were selected and underwent security checks, have been approved, COGAT said.

The approved goods reportedly included staple foods, baby formula, fresh fruit and vegetables, and hygiene products. Payments are to be made exclusively via bank transfer under the supervision of a special monitoring system. Details on how the distribution will take place were not provided.

According to the UN, a large portion of aid deliveries is already being looted amid the chaos following 22 months of war, either by hungry civilians or armed groups.

The UN has warned of an impending famine, despite Israel allowing more aid deliveries for over a week.

(dpa/NAN)