New York, 14 November 2023 (dpa/MIA) - UN Secretary General António Guterres said he is "deeply disturbed" by the collapse of Gaza's health system and the perilous situation at the hospitals, in a statement issued by his office on Tuesday.

"The secretary general is deeply disturbed by the horrible situation and dramatic loss of life in several hospitals in Gaza. In the name of humanity, the secretary general calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire," the statement said.

There is fierce fighting between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militants around several hospitals in the Gaza Strip.

Attacks on hospitals and a lack of fuel have claimed the lives of a number of patients, including newborn babies, according to Palestinian and UN officials.