The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the protection of all civilians in Gaza terming the situation as "humanitarian catastrophe'.

Addressing a press conference in Kathmandu, he said more than two million people are being denied the essentials for life, food, water, shelter and medical care while being subjected to relentless bombardment.

The Secretary-General also reiterated his call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and delivery of a sustained humanitarian relief at a scale that meets the needs of the people of Gaza.