U.S. officials say they asked for — and got — the retraction of an independent monitor's warning of imminent famine in north Gaza.

U.S. officials say they asked for — and got — the retraction of an independent monitor's warning of imminent famine in north Gaza.

Earlier this week, the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) put out a report warning that deaths due to starvation were reaching the threshold of famine in north Gaza, as Israel has blocked nearly all humanitarian aid from entering the region for months now.

A food crises monitoring body withdrew a new report warning of famine in northern Gaza after the US government asked for its retraction.

The dispute highlights the difficulties with data collection in Gaza that have hampered humanitarian efforts since the war began.

A lead organisation monitoring food crises around the world withdrew a new report this week warning of imminent famine in north Gaza under what it

North Gaza has been one of the areas hardest-hit by fighting and Israel's restrictions on aid throughout its war with Hamas militants. Global famine monitors and U.N. and U.S. officials have warned repeatedly of the imminent risk of malnutrition and deaths from starvation hitting famine levels.