Three ships have left a port in Cyprus to deliver 400 tons of food and other supplies to Gaza as concerns grow about hunger in the Palestinian territory.

World Central Kitchen said the vessels and a barge are carrying ready-to-eat items like rice, pasta, flour, legumes, canned vegetables and proteins.

The charity said that is enough to prepare more than 1 million meals.

It also has a shipment of dates provided by the United Arab Emirates. Dates are traditionally eaten to break the daily fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

A ship inaugurated the direct sea route to Gaza earlier this month with 200 tons of food, water and other aid.

The United Nations and partners have warned that famine could occur in devastated, largely isolated northern Gaza as early as this month.