LONDON

The head of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), Jan Egeland, said on Friday that world leaders "must immediately" call for a humanitarian cease-fire as countless innocent Palestinians face indiscriminate and devastating Israeli bombardment and a total siege.

In a statement, Egeland expressed concern that images of suffering families in Israel and Gaza have filled screens since Oct. 7, and he criticized world leaders for failing to produce anything that would end or alleviate the "hemorrhage of innocent lives."

"Countless and completely innocent Palestinians now face indiscriminate and devastating Israeli bombardment and total siege ... This collective punishment brings endless suffering to civilians and costs thousands of lives," he said.

Regarding the arrival of aid trucks in the Gaza Strip, Egeland said that these efforts are "totally insufficient" and lacking essential fuel supplies.

"This is not a humanitarian response worthy of nations and leaders who claim to respect humanitarian principles and international law. "

"World leaders must immediately call for a humanitarian ceasefire to end the suffering and restart the process that can address the root causes of generations of deprivation, conflict, terror, and occupation. History will be watching," he added.

The conflict escalated dramatically after Hamas’ military wing carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7 by firing thousands of rockets and sending hundreds of fighters into Israeli towns.

Israel responded with an uninterrupted campaign of air and artillery strikes on the Gaza Strip, and the government announced that it is preparing for a ground offensive to root out Hamas.

Over 8,700 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,326 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are grappling with shortages of food, water, and medicine due to Israel’s massive air bombardment and total blockade of the enclave.