Gaza City residents were seen coming and going from the Zikim area of the city on Saturday to collect aid a day after the world's leading authority on food crises said the Gaza Strip's largest city was gripped by famine.

The IPC, a global body that monitors hunger crises, says 22 months of war in Gaza have left half a million people facing "starvation, destitution and death." Israel calls it "lies."

Israel's defense minister warned Friday that Gaza's largest city could be destroyed unless Hamas yields to his country's terms, as the world's leading authority on food crises declared that the city is gripped by famine from fighting and an Israeli blockade.

The UN-backed IPC says more than half a million Palestinians facing catastrophic famine conditions amid Israel’s war.

With famine officially declared in northern Gaza, and Israel aiming for full military occupation, civilians are being displaced once again, heading south in an effort to avoid the attacks.

The drums of war are pounding on the doorstep of Gaza City. Residents of the largest city in northern Gaza, packed with locals and refugees, fear the hours are ticking down before a looming Israeli offensive.