BELGRADE, Serbia

Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon has lamented the international community's apathy toward the deteriorating situation in Gaza, saying the world has failed the test of humanity.

"The world has failed the test of humanity. We need a permanent cease-fire to help civilians in need of humanitarian aid. We need to help humanitarian workers," Fajon told CNN on Tuesday.

There are violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza, she said, adding that "the situation is catastrophic and getting worse every day. There is no second chance to save Gaza."

Gaza and the West Bank belong to the Palestinians, she categorically said, clearly rejecting some proposals from Israeli government officials to expel the locals from their territories.

"We need to support all peaceful steps to have a two-state solution for the security and coexistence of Israelis and Palestinians. I know this is a long-term goal, but that is why we must stop the violence in Gaza, (which is) against international humanitarian law and ensure a permanent cease-fire," Fajon told CNN.

Israel has pounded the Palestinian enclave since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7, killing at least 23,357 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 59,410 others, according to local health authorities.

Around 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas offensive.

About 85% of Gazans have been displaced, while all of them are food insecure, according to the UN. Hundreds of thousands of people are living without shelter, and ⁠less than half of aid trucks are entering the territory than before the start of the conflict.