Philippe Lazzarini has joined growing calls for international journalists to be allowed into Gaza, saying they can help “support and pay tribute to the heroic work of Palestinian journalists”.

The chief of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, said it is now time for education and humanitarian aid to reach Gaza as well as “peace through healing, justice and mutual recognition”.

Lazzarini also welcomed the reunion of Israeli and Palestinian families on Monday, saying they shed “some light of hope after more than two years of total darkness”.