Most agree Gaza needs help – but there’s fierce disagreement on how to deliver it

While there is broad consensus on the need for a break in hostilities, people are divided on its extent, its duration, and how to label it

• Israel-Hamas war: live updates

Most of the world agrees that the intensity of Israel's attack on Gaza, while aimed at Hamas, is causing unbearable suffering to its civilians, pummelled from the air and running out of food, water and medical supplies.

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, the top diplomat for Israel's staunchest ally, delivered a personal message in Tel Aviv last week that more must be done to protect Palestinian civilians" trapped after Israel laid siege to the territory.