UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned the situation in besieged Gaza is declining rapidly as he repeated desperate appeals for a ceasefire to end the “nightmare” of bloodshed, AFP reports.

“The situation in Gaza is growing more desperate by the hour. I regret that instead of a critically needed humanitarian pause, supported by the international community, Israel has intensified its military operations,” Guterres said on a visit to Nepal’s capital Kathmandu.

“The number of civilians who have been killed and injured is totally unacceptable. The world is witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe taking place before our eyes.”