U.N. says Gaza evacuations, fuel and access limits are worsening a humanitarian crisis; urges safe aid delivery amid concerns about some providers

The United Nations warned in a briefing that recent Israeli evacuation orders in northern Gaza and restrictions on fuel and other imports are displacing tens of thousands of people and worsening hunger and malnutrition across the territory.

"Civilians must be respected, and they must be protected," the secretary-general said, according to remarks read at the briefing, adding that "all hostages held in Gaza must be released immediately and unconditionally." The U.N. said full, safe and sustained humanitarian access must be granted in accordance with humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) told the briefing that heavy constraints on movement and deliveries have…