UNITED NATIONS (AP) The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees told a U.N. emergency meeting Monday an immediate humanitarian cease-fire has become a matter of life and death for millions, accusing Israel of collective punishment of Palestinians and the forced displacement of civilians.

Philippe Lazzarini warned that a further breakdown of civil order after the agencys warehouses were broken into by Palestinians searching for food and other aid will make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the largest U.N. agency in Gaza to continue operating.

Briefings to the Security Council by Lazzarini, the head of the U.N. childrens agency UNICEF and a senior U.N. humanitarian official painted a dire picture of the humanitarian situation in Gaza 23 days after Hamas surprise Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, and its ongoing retaliatory military action aimed at obliterating the militant group, which controls Gaza.

According to the latest figures from Gazas Ministry of Health, more than 8,300 people have been killed 66% of them women and children and tens of thousands injured, the U.N. humanitarian office said.