UN may halt Gaza aid operation

Officials call on Israel to better protect humanitarian workers from strikes

A boy walks with a jerrycan of water Tuesday after filling up from a water truck in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. The UN has called on Israel to provide its aid workers with a way to communicate directly with Israeli forces on the ground in Gaza.

WASHINGTON Senior UN officials have warned Israel that they will suspend the world body's aid operations across Gaza unless Israel acts urgently to better protect humanitarian workers, two UN officials said Tuesday. The ultimatum is the latest in a series of UN steps demanding Israel do more to safeguard aid operations from strikes by its forces and to curb growing lawlessness hindering humanitarian workers.

A UN letter sent to Israeli officials this month said Israel must provide UN workers with a way to communicate directly with Israeli forces on the ground in Gaza, among other steps, the officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing negotiations with Israeli officials.