ANKARA

China on Wednesday backed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' demand to establish a humanitarian corridor to help civilians in the Gaza Strip as Israel ratcheted up military strikes.

"I strongly support the appeal of @antonioguterres. A humanitarian corridor must be in place immediately to provide help to all those in need," Chinese Ambassador to UN Zhang Jun wrote on X.

Guterres said Tuesday that the UN must be allowed access to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians who are trapped and helpless in the Gaza Strip.

"I appeal to the international community to mobilize immediate humanitarian support for this effort," he said.

The World Health Organization also urged a humanitarian corridor to be established into and out of Gaza, which has been placed under total siege by Israel.

Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood early Saturday, firing a barrage of rockets and infiltrating Israel by land, air and sea.

It said the surprise attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem, and increased settler violence against Palestinians.

In retaliation, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas.

More than 2,300 people have been killed in the current bout of violence, including at least 1,100 Palestinians and 1,300 Israelis.