The UN Security Council on Friday demanded aid be rushed to Gaza “at scale” as the head of the World Health Organization warned of a looming famine in the besieged Palestinian territory.

As Israeli bombs rained down on targets across Gaza, members of the UN’s top peacemaking council demanded “immediate, safe and unhindered” deliveries of life-saving aid.

At Washington’s insistence, the UN Security Council avoided calling for a ceasefire that would stop the 11-week-old war, which began with Hamas’s bloody raids into Israel on October 7.

After the UN vote, Israel vowed to continue its air and ground assault until the Palestinian militant group is “eliminated” and an estimated 129 hostages still being held in the territory are freed.

“Israel will continue the war in Gaza” said Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, insisting the war was legal and just.

Israel’s military said operations continued unabated in Gaza City, where its forces have been locked in street-to-street fighting with Hamas gunmen.

A spokesperson said Israel Defense Forces had destroyed an underground tunnel complex, “struck Hamas headquarters and eliminated terrorists”.বিস্তারিত