THE United Nations health agency demanded on Saturday that Israel halt its attacks on hospitals and civilian targets in Gaza.

World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also said there needed to be an immediate ceasefire to guarantee that medical care can reach Gazans. 

Earlier on Saturday Israeli air strikes in the enclave killed at least 21 Palestinians.

Mr Ghebreyesus said: “Attacks on hospitals and health professionals must stop. The people of Gaza need access to medical care,” he said.

He also expressed deep concern over the Israelis’detention of Kamal Adwan Hospital director Hussam Abu Safiya on December 27. 

Ghebreyesus said: “We have not received any updated information on the safety and wellbeing of its director since his arrest. We continue to urge Israel to release him.”

Meanwhile hospital staff in Gaza said Israeli air strikes killed at least 21 people on Saturday.

The Civil Defence first responders said an air strike destroyed a residential area behind the Saraya complex in Gaza City, killing at least five.

Israeli strikes on Saturday evening also killed three people in Bureij and three others in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where the bodies were taken. One child was amongst the dead. 

Israel’s military said it had targeted Hamas militants with a strike near Salah al-Din in southern Gaza overnight and with a strike on a vehicle in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. 

The air strikes took place as a new effort at securing a ceasefire began in Qatar.

The talks have repeatedly stalled as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vows to press on in Gaza until Hamas is destroyed. 

Families of hostages and others have rallied weekly to press Mr Netanyahu to reach a ceasefire deal that would bring loved ones home, saying time is running out. 

At Saturday night’s rally in Tel Aviv, police carried away some protesters who staged a sit-in on a street.

In a video released by Hamas before the latest rally, Israeli soldier and hostage Liri Albag said a fellow captive had been wounded by the fighting in Gaza, adding, “We are living in an extremely terrifying nightmare.” She didn’t name the injured person.

Mr Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister had spoken with Ms Albag’s parents and told them that “efforts are ongoing, including at this very moment” to bring hostages home. 

Ms Albag’s family said that “It’s time to make decisions as if your own children were there!”