In a related development, the Israeli Knesset voted to ban UNRWA operations in Israel within three months, potentially worsening the aid crisis in Gaza and the West Bank.

Guterres emphasized that if Israel proceeds with plans to expel the UN agency providing essential services, it must address the needs of refugees in Gaza.

According to the Gaza health ministry, the ongoing conflict has resulted in at least 43,061 Palestinian deaths and 101,223 injuries in the Gaza Strip since the war began on October 7, 2023.

The Lebanese health ministry has reported that at least 2,787 people have been killed and 12,772 injured in Lebanon due to Israeli attacks since October 2023.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that Israel could be conducting 'ethnic cleansing' in Gaza without international intervention, a statement that comes amid rising civilian casualties.

This warning follows a recent Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Beit Lahiya, which resulted in the deaths of at least 93 people, including many children.

The bombardment of Beit Lahiya has continued, leading to additional casualties and a collapse of medical services, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The UN humanitarian agency OCHA reported that only a fraction of health services remain functional in Gaza, with 1.7 million people going without food rations in October.

International condemnation has followed the bombing in Beit Lahiya, with the US and France expressing horror and calling for an end to the siege of northern Gaza.

The United States has also expressed concern regarding the significant civilian casualties resulting from the Israeli strike.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged the civilian casualties in Beit Lahiya and stated they are investigating the incident.

As diplomatic efforts for a truce continue without breakthroughs, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has urged military pressure on Hamas to secure the return of Israeli hostages.