WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS/NICOSIA/LISBON - The US Department of State on Thursday announced sanctions that deny visas to officials of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

"It is in our national security interests to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments and undermining the prospects for peace," the State Department said in a press release.

The department noted it reported to the US Congress that both organizations "are not in compliance with their commitments under the PLO Commitments Compliance Act of 1989 and the Middle East Peace Commitments Act of 2002".

It claimed that the PA and PLO took actions to "internationalize its conflict with Israel" at international organizations such as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice.

ALSO READ: US shift on Palestine condemned

It also accused them of "continuing to support terrorism including incitement and glorification of violence", and "providing payments and benefits in support of terrorism to Palestinian terrorists and their families".

Aid distribution hampered

Separately, UN humanitarians said Thursday that as starvation worsens in Gaza, efforts to swiftly distribute aid are being hampered by delays, looting and military operations, even as shipments continue to arrive through Israeli checkpoints.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that earlier this week, despite the Israeli military designating secure routes from border crossings into Gaza and toward distribution sites, aid trucks operated by the United Nations and its partners continued to face lengthy delays, putting drivers, humanitarian workers and crowds at risk.

OCHA said that the sole route provided by Israeli authorities for UN teams exiting the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing into Gaza is frequently disrupted by Israeli ground forces setting up ad hoc checkpoints, causing additional delays in aid delivery.

ALSO READ: Israel announces daily 10-hour humanitarian pause in parts of Gaza

The office said that despite such challenges, the world body and its humanitarian partners continue to seize every opportunity to collect supplies from the Israeli-controlled crossings.

"The teams have managed to collect wheat flour, ready-to-eat rations, high-energy biscuits, nutrition items, hygiene kits and other critical supplies from the Israeli-controlled crossings," OCHA said.

The office said that "much of the food is taken by people en route, rather than reaching community-based distribution points," adding that "aid must be distributed at the community level" to ensure no one is left behind.

The United Nations and its partners insist on reaching Palestinians in need through community-based distribution points, numbering 400 across Gaza, rather than the four militarized Israeli and US-sponsored Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) hubs, due to chaos and gunfire erupting near them.

Ceasefire, two-state support

Also on Thursday, France and Cyprus jointly called for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and reaffirmed their support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Cyprus News Agency reported.

During his visit to Nicosia, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot underscored France's unwavering position on the crisis, reiterating President Emmanuel Macron's intent to formally recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September.

ALSO READ: France to officially recognize Palestinian state at UN General Assembly

"The current situation in Gaza is unacceptable and unsustainable," Barrot stated, condemning the militarization of humanitarian aid delivery and urging the suspension of Israeli settlement plans.

Barrot announced that France will begin airlifting 40 tons of humanitarian aid into Gaza starting Friday, while exploring all available channels - air, sea, and land - to expand relief operations.

Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos also called for an immediate ceasefire and the prompt release of hostages. He reaffirmed Cyprus's longstanding commitment to a two-state solution.

Portugal to consider recognizing State of Palestine

Meanwhile, Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said the government intends to consult President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and all political parties represented in Parliament to consider recognizing the State of Palestine during the 80th United Nations General Assembly in September.

According to a statement from the prime minister's office, Portugal, together with a group of other countries, reexamined the issue and the conditions for recognizing the State of Palestine during a meeting in New York from July 28 to 30.

"From multiple contacts, it was possible to determine that many of the states with which Portugal has coordinated positions on the matter expressed a willingness to begin the procedure of recognizing the State of Palestine," the statement read.

At the conclusion of the international conference, Portugal signed a joint declaration with 14 other countries expressing their readiness to consider recognizing the State of Palestine.

READ MORE: UN voices call for recognizing State of Palestine

When questioned about the government's position, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said on Thursday that there is only one foreign policy and that he supports the government's stance, indicating alignment between the two offices.

Spain, Ireland, Norway, and Slovenia have recognized the State of Palestine since last year. France said last week that it would recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly.