UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has described Gaza as "hell on earth" for children, appealing to Israel for rapid and unhindered aid access and telling the 193-member General Assembly he would launch an appeal for humanitarian funding.
A truce between the Israeli government and the two main Palestinian armed groups in Gaza, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, began early on Friday morning after 11 days of deadly violence.
Since the fighting began on 10 May, health officials in Gaza say 232 Palestinians, including 65 children, have been killed and more than 1,900 wounded in aerial bombardments.
Authorities put the death toll in Israel at 12, including two children, with hundreds of people treated for injuries in rocket attacks that have caused panic and sent people rushing into shelters.
Israel says it has killed at least 160 combatants in Gaza. Hamas does not give casualty figures for fighters.
As diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire gathered pace on Thursday, the 193-member UN General Assembly met to discuss the renewed violence.
"If there is a hell on earth, it is the lives of children in Gaza today," said Mr Guterres, adding that he would launch a full humanitarian appeal for funding as soon as possible.
"The hostilities have caused serious damage to vital civilian infrastructure in Gaza, including roads and electricity lines, contributing to a humanitarian emergency. Crossings into Gaza have been closed and power shortages are affecting water supplies," Mr Guterres added.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday described Gaza as "hell on earth" for children. Source: Anadolu
Before the truce was announced, the UN chief called for an immediate ceasefire and urged Israel's military to exercise maximum restraint and Hamas to stop indiscriminate rocket fire. He also called on Israel to stop demolitions and evictions in the Palestinian Territories.
"Access for humanitarian goods is paramount. Attacks by militant groups on areas surrounding crossing points are unacceptable," Mr Guterres said. "At the same time, Israel has a duty to allow and facilitate rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian aid ... into Gaza."
Hundreds of buildings and homes have been destroyed or damaged, Mr Guterres said, and airstrikes have damaged several hospitals.
Some 50,000 people were seeking shelter in UN schools, mosques and other places with little access to water, food, hygiene or health services, Mr Guterres added.
Following the truce on Friday, US President Joe Biden pledged humanitarian and reconstruction aid for Gaza.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday described Gaza as "hell on earth" for children. Source: Anadolu
"We remain committed to work with the United Nations and other international stakeholders to provide rapid humanitarian assistance and to marshal international support for the people in Gaza and in the Gaza reconstruction efforts," Mr Biden said.
On Thursday, the International Committee of the Red Cross warned that people in both Gaza and Israel "urgently need respite from non-stop hostilities".
The United Nations relief agency UNRWA has called for A$49 million (US$38 million) in funding to aid humanitarian efforts in Gaza.
"This is needed to respond to the immediate food, non-food, health, psychosocial, WASH and emergency response capacity needs and to carry out essential emergency interventions during the hostilities in Gaza," the body said in a statement.
The military conflict has sharply heightened tensions and sparked violence between Jews and Arab-Israelis, while Palestinian protesters in the West Bank and east Jerusalem have repeatedly clashed with security forces.
With AFP
