United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said that the protection of civilians “must be paramount” in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, warning that the Gaza Strip was becoming “a graveyard for children”, Reuters reports

“Ground operations by the Israel Defense Forces and continued bombardment are hitting civilians, hospitals, refugee camps, mosques, churches and UN facilities, including shelters. No one is safe,” Guterres told reporters.

He said clear violations of international humanitarian law were being committed and again appealed for a humanitarian ceasefire.