The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday demanded aid be rushed to Gaza "at scale" as the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) warned of a looming famine in the besieged Palestinian territory.
As Israeli bombs rained down on targets across Gaza, members of the UN's top peace-making council demanded "immediate, safe and unhindered" deliveries of life-saving aid.
At Washington's insistence, the UNSC avoided calling for a ceasefire that would stop the 11-week-old war, which began on October 7.
After the UN vote, Israel vowed to continue its air and ground assault until the Palestinian militant group is "eliminated" and an estimated 129 hostages still being held in the territory are freed.
"Israel will continue the war in Gaza" said Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, insisting the war was legal and just.
Israel's military said operations continued unabated in Gaza City, where its forces have been locked in street-to-street fighting with Hamas.
A spokesperson said Israel Defence Forces had destroyed an underground tunnel complex, "struck Hamas headquarters and eliminated terrorists."
Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry claimed more than 410 people had been killed in Israeli bombardments over 48 hours, including 16 in a strike Friday in the Gaza City district of Jabalia.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the way Israel is conducting its operation is “creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian assistance” in Gaza, where the United Nations says the aid available is just 10% of what is needed.
With swathes of Gaza reduced to rubble, many Gazans have been forced into crowded shelters or tents, and are struggling to find food, fuel, water and medical supplies.
WHO boss Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that "hunger is present, and famine is looming in Gaza." He said a majority of displaced people were going "entire days and nights without eating."
The UN estimates that fighting has displaced almost two million Gazans, almost 80% of the population.
The latest casualty update from Gaza’s health ministry said 20,057 Palestinians have been killed and 53,320 wounded in the Israeli offensive that has destroyed huge swaths of the enclave and displaced most of the population of 2.3 million.