UN chief denounces 'cruelest phase' of Gaza conflict

UNITED NATIONS, May 24 (AFP): United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Friday said Palestinians in Gaza are "enduring what may be the cruelest phase of this cruel conflict" as Israel ramps up its military offensive.
"For nearly 80 days, Israel blocked the entry of life-saving international aid," he said in a statement. "The entire population of Gaza is facing the risk of famine.
"The Israeli military offensive is intensifying with atrocious levels of death and destruction."
Six killed in Israeli
strikes on Gaza
Gaza's civil defence agency said Israeli strikes killed at least six people on Saturday across the Palestinian territory, where Israel has ramped up its military offensive in recent days.
"Our teams have recovered at least six dead," civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP.
He said a couple were killed with their two young children in a pre-dawn strike on a house in the Amal quarter of the southern city of Khan Yunis. Another two people were killed in a strike on the Nuseirat refugee camp in the centre of the territory, he said.