"When the evacuation routes are bombed, people are left with nothing but impossible choices:" UN official calls for protection of civilians in Gaza and Israel

Lynn Hastings the UN’s top humanitarian official in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, appealed once again for the protection of civilians in armed conflict and reiterated calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the more than 220 people held captive by Hamas since the group’s deadly incursion into Israel on 7 October.

Meanwhile the heaviest death toll yet from Gaza was reported, where 756 were killed, including 344 children, bringing total fatalities in the territory to 6,547 since the start of Israel’s retaliation for Hamas’ attacks on 7 October.

With bombardments continuing, according to Gaza’s de facto authorities, some 1,600 people including 900 children have been reported missing and may be under the rubble.