Aid agencies seek to mobilise forces in Gaza as bombs continue to fall before expected ceasefire

Humanitarian groups urge Israel to allow them access to the Palestinian enclave as supplies dwindle

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  A Palestinian man inspects the damage of a six-storey building destroyed by an early morning Israeli air strike in Gaza city. AP Photo

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  Palestinians, who fled their homes due to Israeli air and artillery strikes, wash their clothes at a UN-run school in Gaza city. Reuters

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  Rockets are launched towards Israel from the southern Gaza Strip. AFP

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  A satellite image shows the rubble of a Gaza Strip high-rise building. AP Photo

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  A member of the Palestinian Abu Dayer family receives treatment at Al-Shifa Hospital following an Israeli air strike on their home in Gaza city. AFP

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  More than 200 people, most of them Palestinians, have been killed in the attacks. AFP

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  Palestinians run amid Israeli air strikes on Gaza city. AFP

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  A Palestinian man reacts to the death of his father who was killed by an Israeli airstrike that destroyed the upper floors of a commercial building and caused damage to a health ministry and prime health care clinic in Gaza city. AP Photo

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  A ball of fire explodes above buildings in Gaza city as Israeli forces shell the Palestinian enclave. AFP

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  Israeli soldiers cheer as they take photos at an artillery position along the Israel-Gaza border. AP Photo

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  Wounded Palestinian girl Sara Al-Metrabeeay lies on a bed in Shifa Hospital in Gaza city. Reuters

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  Fighting continues between the Israeli Army and Hamas forces at the Gaza border, Israel. EPA

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  Israelis gather to watch the Iron Dome aerial defence system launch a missile to intercept a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip, above the city of Ashdod. AFP

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  An Israeli artillery soldier carries shells as their unit aims at targets in the Gaza Strip. EPA

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  People inspect a destroyed car inside a house, following an Israeli airstrike on the upper floors of a commercial building in Gaza city. AP Photo

Aid agencies are mobilising to ensure that humanitarian relief reaches civilians in Gaza, despite Israel's continued bombing campaign.

Israeli strikes are complicating the humanitarian response to the crisis by damaging roads, making it difficult for civilians to access aid, and border closures mean relief workers and critical supplies are not able to reach those in need.

“Today we informed both Israeli and Hamas authorities that as of tomorrow, we would be moving around and stepping up progressively our response to critical needs,” said Fabrizio Carboni, regional director of the Near and Middle East for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

“Both parties have a clear legal responsibility to facilitate such action and movements,” Mr Carboni said.

Health officials in Gaza say 230 Palestinians, including 65 children, have been killed and more than 1,700 wounded in air and artillery bombardments since the conflict began on May 10.

“People – exhausted from sleepless nights, from constant fear, worry and grief – need a window during which they can go outside and [go] about their business without fear of being killed or injured, or of witnessing death or injury to others,” Mr Carboni said.

The ICRC is urging officials from both sides to allow humanitarian workers "to move around, meet and hear from people in order to assess their needs and respond with the necessary assistance".

Doctors Without Borders said its team has not been able to send additional staff and supplies into Gaza, because they were denied access on Thursday.

"This is now more than 10 days since the Israeli bombardment of Gaza began and the humanitarian needs are mounting, with more than 1,400 people injured and tens of thousands of people displaced. The health system, which faces shortages even when there's no bombing, is out of key materials to treat the injured, such as blood bags," said Ely Sok, the organisation's head of mission in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

"The crossing points need to be reopened immediately and safe passage must be facilitated for humanitarian staff and supplies to avert a greater catastrophe," he said.

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said it has not yet received approval to enter Gaza to bring in "essential humanitarian supplies meant to provide relief to the distressed population", the agency said.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) called for a humanitarian pause in Israel's bombardment to allow access for aid.

"The closure of entry and exit points for patients and humanitarian health teams and the severe restrictions on the entry of medical supplies is exacerbating this public health crisis," WHO regional director Ahmed Al Mandhari said.

"The severity of injuries is straining an already overwhelmed health system that is facing critical shortages of essential medicines and supplies while also battling the Covid-19 pandemic,” Mr Al Mandhari said.