The United Nations’ humanitarian chief has said Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza has escalated into a “betrayal of humanity”, AFP reports.

In a statement on the eve of the six-month anniversary of the fighting, Martin Griffiths, outgoing under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief, has called for a “collective determination that there be a reckoning for this betrayal of humanity”.

“Each day, this war claims more civilian victims,” said Griffiths, who will leave his post at the end of June due to health reasons. “Every second that it continues sows the seeds of a future so deeply obscured by this relentless conflict.”

Griffiths laments, “The unconscionable prospect of further escalation in Gaza, where no one is safe and there is nowhere safe to go.” He adds, “An already fragile aid operation continues to be undermined by bombardments, insecurity and denials of access.”

“On this day, my heart goes out to the families of those killed, injured or taken hostage, and to those who face the particular suffering of not knowing the plight of their loved ones,” he said in the statement.