Major world powers trying to restart the stalled peace process in West Asia on Wednesday called on Israel and Hamas to immediately implement a ceasefire in the region.
The international Quartet comprising the United Nations, the European Union, Russia and the United States held discussions though a teleconference on the deteriorating situation in the West Asia following Israeli air strikes on Gaza Strip.
The Quartet added its voice to the international calls on Israel to halt its bombing of Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and Hamas to end its rocket firing into southern Israel.
The teleconference was today convened by UN chief Ban Ki-moon after UN agencies warned that hundreds of wounded could die because of lack of medicines in Gaza hospitals.
The consultations took place as the air strikes, which Israel says it has launched in reply to Hamas rocket attacks from Gaza, entered their fourth day. Over 370 people have been killed and many more wounded in the attacks.
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The World Health Organisation has urged Israel to ensure immediate provision of fuel and critical life-saving and trauma care supplies.
UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East Commissioner-General Karen AbuZayd told the UN News Centre that the current situation is 'much, much worse' than past eruptions of violence in Gaza.
"I've been here throughout the Palestinian uprising for the last eight-and-a-half-years and although we've had some very bad times when there was heavy bombing, never were so many people killed in one day," she said.
"As a top priority, the shortages of essential and life-saving medicines need to be abated without delay. The current escalation of the violence only compounds the health situation and unnecessarily exacerbates the fragile status of the civilians caught up in this conflict," it said.
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WHO has secured, in collaboration with several member states, the dispatch of medical kits to cover surgical and trauma interventions and is following up with Palestinian and Israeli authorities to ensure these supplies reach those who need them.
Negotiations with the Israelis are ongoing to guarantee the passage of urgent medical supplies, the agency said, adding that it was also coordinating with other UN agencies, donors and non-governmental organisations to ensure aid arrives to those most in need.
"The functioning of hospitals and access to health services are critical in order to respond to the mass casualties," WHO stressed, calling for the removal of blockades to allow in much-needed food, water, fuel, medicines and other humanitarian aid.
The UNICEF voiced deep concern over the impact of the current violence on youngsters and urged all parties to abide by their international legal obligation to ensure that children are protected and receive essential humanitarian supplies and support. Over half of the population in Gaza are children.
"It is critical that humanitarian assistance, including food, medical supplies and equipment be allowed into Gaza to address the urgent needs of children and women," it said in a statement.
