US asks Israel to do more to protect civilians; UNSC takes up voting Gaza ceasefire

Israel stepping up its strikes against Gaza Strip has raised alarmed across the world. The United States, which has stood by Israel from the start of the war, has urged them to do more to protect the civilians.

Over the past 24 hours, the Israeli military had struck over 450 targets in Gaza from land, sea, and air. With as many as 350 people killed on Thursday, the death toll in Gaza has gone up to 17,487. According to the ministry, thousands are still missing and presumed to be buried under rubble.

Intensified strikes were reported from Khan Younis in the south, the Nusseirat camp in the centre and Gaza City in the north.

Meanwhile, hours before the UN Security Council’s ‘ceasefire’ vote, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there was no “safe place” in Gaza. \

While speaking at the UNSC meet, Guterres told the representatives that "the people of Gaza are looking into the abyss" and the "international community must do everything to end their ordeal."

He also spoke about a two-state solution the "only viable possibility for a peaceful future". He also added that the "eyes of the world are watching."

Also, Hamas on Friday said that Israel had bombemed Gaza's medieval Omari Mosque causing widespread destruction. Hamas has called the strike as a "heinous, barbaric crime".

Expressing concerns over the recent visuals of the Palestinian prisoners stripped naked by Israel, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said all detainees must be treated with humanity and dignity in accordance with international humanitarian law.