NEW YORK, December 31, 2008 (WAFA)- The Quartet held, late Tuesday, a teleconference to discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip. They called for an immediate halt of violence in Gaza as United Nations agencies warned that hundreds of wounded in Gaza hospitals faced a surge in preventable deaths due to lack of medical supplies.

The Quartet, the UN, European Union (EU), Russia and United States, called on “all parties to address the serious humanitarian and economic needs in Gaza and to take necessary measures to ensure the continuous provision of humanitarian supplies,” according to UN readout on the teleconference.

The consultations took place as the Israeli entered their fourth day, with over 300 Gazans killed and many hundreds more wounded, and the UN World Health Organization (WHO) urging Israel to ensure immediate provision of fuel and critical life-saving and trauma care supplies.

UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Karen AbuZayd told the UN News Centre that the current situation is “much, much worse” than past eruptions of violence in Gaza.

“They called for an immediate ceasefire that would be fully respected,” the readout said. “They agreed on the urgent need for Israelis and Palestinians to continue on the road to peace. They intend to remain in close touch.”

Children’s Fund (UNICEF) voiced deep concern over the impact of the current violence on youngsters and urged all parties to abide by their international legal obligation to ensure that children are protected and receive essential humanitarian supplies and support. Over half of the population in Gaza are children.

“It is critical that humanitarian assistance, including food, medical supplies and equipment be allowed into Gaza to address the urgent needs of children and women,” UNICEF said in statement.