GAZA: UN agency leaders saying "enough is enough" demanded a humanitarian ceasefire on Monday nearly a month into Gaza's war, as the enclave's health authorities said dozens more people were killed in overnight attacks by Israeli fighter jets and troops.
"An entire population is besieged and under attack, denied access to the essentials for survival, bombed in their homes, shelters, hospitals and places of worship. This is unacceptable," the UN chiefs said in a joint statement.
"We need an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. It's been 30 days. Enough is enough. This must stop now."
The 18 signatories include the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, the head of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and UN aid chief Martin Griffiths.
In the Gaza Strip, the overnight bombardment from the air, ground and sea was described as one of the most intense since Israel launched its offensive.
Health officials in Gaza said more than 10,022 Palestinians have been killed in the war since October 7.
Israel, which says its forces have encircled Gaza City, faces mounting pressure over civilian casualties. A US diplomatic blitz in the region is intended to reduce risks of the conflict escalating.
The health ministry in Gaza said dozens of people were killed by the Israeli air strikes in Gaza City and further south in Gaza neighbourhoods such as Zawaida and Deir Al-Balah. Al-Aqsa TV quoted medical sources as saying at least 75 Palestinians were killed and 106 hurt in the attacks.
Palestinian health officials said eight people were killed in an air strike overnight on Gaza City's Rantissi cancer hospital.
Israel said 31 soldiers had been killed since it began expanded ground operations in Gaza on October 27, fighting thousands of Palestinians who believe they can hold off Israel's advance from a warren of tunnels under the enclave.
On average, a child is killed and two are injured every 10 minutes during the war, the UN relief agency for Palestinians said.
People searched for victims or survivors at the Maghazi refugee camp in Gaza, where the health ministry said Israeli forces had killed at least 47 people in strikes early on Sunday.
"All night I and the other men were trying to pick the dead from the rubble. We got children, dismembered, torn-apart flesh," said Saeed al-Nejma, 53. Asked for comment, the Israeli military said it was gathering details.
In a separate attack, 21 Palestinians from one family were killed in strikes, the health ministry said. Israel's military declined to comment. — AFP
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