On Wednesday, UN secretary general António Guterres voiced grave concern over the escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza and stressed the need to prevent the violence from spreading into the wider region.

The UN chief raised the alarm over clashes along the Blue Line, the demarcation between Israel and Lebanon, and reported attacks from southern Lebanon.

Mr Guterres, who made the call at a news briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York, appealed to all the parties to avoid further spread of the conflict.

“I appeal to all parties – and those who have an influence over those parties – to avoid any further escalation and spillover,” he said.

The UN chief reiterated the need always to protect civilians, as guaranteed by international law.

“I call for the immediate release of all Israeli hostages held in Gaza,” he said.

The UN chief underscored that UN premises, hospitals, schools and clinics must never be targeted and stressed the urgency of humanitarian access to the enclave.

“Crucial life-saving supplies – including fuel, food and water – must be allowed into Gaza. We need rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access now,” he said.

According to the UN Humanitarian Affairs Coordination Office (OCHA), the death tolls in Israel from attacks by Palestinian armed groups and in Gaza due to Israeli bombardments have continued to rise, with mass displacement soaring across the enclave.

OCHA cited Israeli media, which reported that as of Tuesday evening, more than 1,000 Israelis, including foreign nationals, were killed, and at least 2,806 people were injured, according to the ministry of health.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza said at least 830 Palestinians have been killed and 4,250 injured.

Over a tenth of the population in Gaza, more than 260,000 people, have been displaced since the current conflict on October 7, and the numbers are rising fast.

Amidst the volatile situation, the UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that eleven of its staff members had been killed since Saturday, while 30 students at its schools died and a further eight were injured.

(NAN)