Gazans sought refuge in bombed-out hospitals as Israel vowed to “press harder” in its war with Hamas on Saturday, a day after the United States blocked a ceasefire bid at the United Nations.
Aid groups said Gaza faces an “apocalyptic” situation and is on the verge of being overwhelmed by disease and starvation.
At least 17,700 people – mostly women and children – have died in two months of fighting in the narrow strip of territory, according to the latest figures from Gaza’s health ministry.
Yet Washington vetoed a UN resolution that would have called for a ceasefire on Friday, a move strongly condemned by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, as well as humanitarian groups.
“I very much appreciate the correct stance the US took,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement, vowing to “continue our just war to eliminate Hamas”.
An AFP journalist said thousands of Gazans were sheltering in the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, which is no longer functioning and partly destroyed following an Israeli raid there last month.
Hundreds of makeshift tents made from scraps of f...
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