New York: Tens of thousands of families under siege in Gaza are facing desperate conditions as mounting civilian casualties swamp a hospital system that is close to collapse, an international aid agency said today.

"The conflict is also stopping the highly inadequate amount of aid trickling into Gaza from reaching families trapped by the fighting," an aid agency, Oxfam, said.

It also alleged that international efforts to achieve a ceasefire are being prevented by political considerations.

"Doctors working in Gaza's hospitals say they ve been swamped by casualties but lack essential drugs, medicines, medical equipment and spare parts," Oxfam s Director in Jerusalem John Prideaux-Brune said.

Several paramedics have also been killed after coming under tank and artillery fire. A number of clinics have been forced to close because of clashes nearby," John said.

"Additionally, hospitals are struggling to function because of round-the-clock power cuts and fuel for back-up generators is now dangerously low," he said adding, scores of patients in intensive care face certain death if those generators stop.

The UN, he said, has managed to deliver food to some hospitals in southern areas in the past few days but has had to cancel distributions elsewhere.

"Many families, who need vital supplies such as food and water are simply too frightened to leave their homes: their situation is becoming desperate," he said.

He also said "every day that passes without a truce is costing innocent lives. Foreign diplomats, governments and parties to the conflict must stop wasting time and give priority to humanitarian imperatives over political objectives."
Source : PTI