The United Nations Security Council on Friday voted to approve a resolution calling for humanitarian pauses and corridors in Gaza Strip to bring in aid to displaced Palestinians.

The United States and Russia abstained from voting on the resolution that also increases aid to Gaza and create conditions that will allow for a sustainable end to fighting between Israel soldiers and Hamas terrorists.

The approval of the resolution by the UNSC follows World Health Organization boss Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that "hunger is present, and famine is looming in Gaza."

Ghebreyesus said a majority of displaced people were going "entire days and nights without eating."

The UN estimates that fighting has displaced almost two million Gazans, almost 80 percent of the population.

Approval of the resolution did not stop Israeli bombs from raining down on targets across Gaza.

After the UN vote, Israel vowed to continue its air and ground assault until the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas is "eliminated" and an estimated 129 hostages still being held in the territory are freed.

"Israel will continue the war in Gaza" said Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, insisting the war was legal and just.

Israel's military said operations continued unabated in Gaza City, where its forces have been locked in street-to-street fighting with Hamas gunmen.

A spokesperson said Israel Defense Forces had destroyed an underground tunnel complex, "struck Hamas headquarters and eliminated terrorists."

Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry claimed more than 410 people had been killed in Israeli bombardments over 48 hours, including 16 in a strike Friday in the Gaza City district of Jabalia.

Four members of one family, including a girl, died in another strike on a civilian vehicle in Rafah in southern Gaza, said the ministry, which puts the death toll from the war at over 20,000.

With swathes of Gaza reduced to rubble, many Gazans have been forced into crowded shelters or tents, and are struggling to find food, fuel, water and medical supplies.

"The way Israel is conducting this offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid," said UN chief Antonio Guterres after the vote, pressing the point home.

But it remains to be seen what, if any, impact the vote will have on the ground.

Israel's foreign minister insisted that despite the resolution his country would retain control of what goes into Gaza and "will continue to screen all humanitarian aid to Gaza for security reasons."     

WITH AFP