In Geneva, UN human rights chief Martin Griffiths said the situation was “apocalyptic” with the risk that serious rights violations were being committed by both sides.

According to Reuters, leaders of the Group of Seven nations including Israel’s close ally the United States called for further humanitarian truces “to address the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and minimise civilian casualties”.

The United Nations Security Council received a UAE-drafted resolution on Wednesday that demanded an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” with a vote sought on Friday.