The Rev Jerry Pillay, secretary-general of the group that represents 352 churches worldwide, said it “condemns all violations of international humanitarian law and norms related to the protection of civilians by Israeli forces”.

In a statement, Pillay called for “an immediate cessation of this deadly violence” in Gaza and appealed for an end to “attacks on civilians and to urgently stop the escalation of the conflict”, Al Jazeera reported. 

“Strikes that kill civilians – especially innocent children – can never provide a path to sustainable peace or justice, but rather perpetuate the cycle of violence,” he added while calling for an immediate ceasefire.