UN agency leaders saying "enough is enough" demanded a humanitarian ceasefire on Monday, nearly a month into Gaza's war, as health authorities in the enclave said the death toll from Israeli strikes now exceeded 10,000.
Israel has rebuffed mounting international pressure for a ceasefire, saying hostages taken by Hamas militants during their rampage in southern Israel on Oct 7 should be released first.
"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 United Nations 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, World Health Organisation head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and UN aid chief Martin Griffiths.
The reported number of fatalities in Israeli strikes on Gaza since Oct 7 has surpassed 10,000, with the Health Ministry in the Hamascontrolled enclave saying at least 10,022 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,104 children.
A Reuters journalist in Gaza on Monday said an overnight bombardment by air, ground and sea was one of the most intense since Israel began its offensive following the attack by Hamas which killed 1,400 people and saw more than 240 taken hostage.
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 Israeli air strikes in Gaza City, and further south in neighbourhoods such as Zawayda and Deir Al-Balah. Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa TV quoted medical sources as saying at least 75 Palestinians were killed and 106 hurt in the attacks.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 07, 2023-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 07, 2023-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Dutch chef Sergio Herman opens Le Pristine in Singapore
If the zing of kaffir lime in the mussel antipasti, or the chilli king crab on the pizzette, or the soursop in the gambero rosso seem somewhat familiar, that would be Dutch chef Sergio Herman putting a little bit of Singapore into his food.
SINNER'S 'SPECIAL' YEAR-END TOP SPOT
First Italian to finish the year as No. 1 will clinch 7th title of 2024 if he beats Djokovic
Kiwis get down to business quickly
BARCELONA - New Zealand beat Britain in the opening America's Cup races on Oct 12, with the holders setting the pace in the early skirmishes with the challengers in the first-to-seven contest.
"'SPORTSWASHING' CRY AS NBA PLAYS IN UAE"
But commissioner Silver disagrees that its presence in a key market helps hide abuses
SailGP matures with new tech, stiff rivalry
NEW YORK - As SailGP approaches its fifth season of racing, this professional sailing league is finally flying on its own two foils.
WALLER-LANE IN GUINEAS UPSET
Private Life steals the show after inch-perfect front-running ride in Caulfield 3YO feature
Fintech exec began developing her investing acumen as a teen
Her initial better-safe-than-sorry approach has given way to a higher risk appetite now
Betting apps are more toxic than you think
Betting companies all publicly espouse their commitment to responsible gaming. They help fund programmes to combat addiction and give customers the option to exclude themselves from betting or to enrol in \"cool-off\" periods that keep them from logging in for a day or two.
Revival in demand for private resale homes
Volume of transactions in Jan-Aug up 11% from same period a year ago, data shows
How to plan for retirement when you are on your own
For Ms Sara Zeff Geber, the \"aha moment\" came a few years ago as she listened to a friend recount all the tasks she was taking on to help her increasingly frail 91-year-old mother.