Amid continued fighting in Gaza and rocket fire into Israel, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council has urged both sides "to avoid further escalation and prevent loss of life," saying that civilians, and specifically children, pay "the heaviest price".
The organization's chief, Jan Egeland, said on Tuesday that civilians "once again" were "bearing the brunt of a dramatic escalation in hostilities."
He added that children, whether they are Palestinian or Israeli, are left with "not only physically scarred but also emotionally damaged."
The Oslo-based group called on "all parties to the conflict to stop the provocations and to ensure that civilians are protected." Egeland said in a statement that the latest events "also shows that the prolonged conflict and occupation are unsustainable."