Relief groups call at Paris conference for immediate Gaza ceasefire

They made their calls at a Paris conference aimed at co-ordinating aid and praising how to help injured people in Gaza since Israel launched its ground and air offensive in response to an attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel on 7 October.

Representatives of Arab nations, Western powers and members of the 20 main economies group were among those attending the conference, but Israel was not invited and few heads of state, government or foreign ministers were there. The expectations for concrete results are low unless there is a pause in combat.

Participants decided to discuss a proposal to establish a maritime corridor to send humanitarian aid to Gaza or to evacuate the injured, establish hospitals on the ground, and financial assistance to alleviate the growing humanitarian crisis.

Israel has ruled out an immediate ceasefire that can help strengthen Hamas. The United States has echoed Israel's view, warning that a ceasefire could help Hamas regroup, but has called for humanitarian pause, Reuters writes.