UN trying 'to do more' for 'desperately needed' humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza

GENEVA

The UN is trying "to do more" to establish a humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, where Israel has continued relentless attacks for a month now, the international body's director of information services said on Tuesday.

Responding to Anadolu's question on what further steps the UN can take to minimize civilian harm in Gaza following weekend's Israeli airstrike that hit Al-Maghazi refugee camp, Alessandra Vellucci said they have repeatedly asserted that "even wars have rules."

"You're asking if we can do more. We try to do more. We try to do everything we can," Velluci said during a UN press conference in Geneva.

"And yesterday I think the secretary general (Antonio Guterres) has been extremely vocal to reiterate his appeal for the protection of civilians, hospitals, UN facilities, shelters and schools," she said, adding that UN staff is working day and night to try and improve the situation in Gaza.

"I think we really would underline the extremely important work that we are doing with all the counterparts to try and bring to fruition this humanitarian cease-fire that is so desperately needed," she stressed.

Regarding the loss of members of family of Anadolu cameraman Muhammad Alaloul, who lost four kids and three siblings, during the strike on Al-Maghazi refugee camp, Vellucci said: "We're very, very sorry for that and we send our condolences to your colleague (Alaloul) and to his family who's unfortunately, sadly, not the first journalist who has lost loved ones in Gaza."

More than 50 Palestinians were killed in the strike, including Alaloul's family members.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 37 journalists and media workers have been killed in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. Thirty-two were Palestinians, four Israelis and one Lebanese.

The Gaza Strip has been under heavy bombardment since Hamas launched a surprise offensive against Israel on Oct. 7.

At least 10,022 Palestinians, including 4,104 children and 2,641 women, have been killed since then. Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is nearly 1,600, according to official figures.