‘The world must do more’ for Gaza: UN agencies say

The aid that entered Gaza on Saturday "is only a small beginning and far from enough", five UN agencies said in a joint statement.  They called for a humanitarian ceasefire and safe access to civilians in efforts to save lives and prevent more suffering.

Roughly 800,000 people have been forced to flee Rafah since Israel launched a military operation in the area on 6 May, the head of UN Palestine refugee agency UNRWA said on Saturday in a renewed appeal for greater protection of civilians in Gaza, safe humanitarian access and, ultimately, a ceasefire.

With the deepening Israel-Palestine crisis about to enter its second month, a dozen UN agencies have reiterated urgent appeals for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to allow more lifesaving aid into Gaza.