GAZA CITY, Oct 12 (AFP) - Health NGO Medecins du Monde hit out Tuesday at Israel over its deadly offensive in northern Gaza, accusing the Jewish state of using heavy weapons against civilians and blocking aid from reaching the area.
"There has been a considerable usage by the Israeli army of armed vehicles and planes. Missiles have frequently been used to target vehicles, buildings and people," the French non-governmental organisation said in a statement.
"A large number of Palestinians have been killed and wounded, including many civilians."
The army launched its Operation Days of Penitence in northern Gaza late last month to try to stop cross-border rocket attacks on southern Israel by Palestinian militant groups, as two children in the border town of Sderot were killed in one such assault.
A total of 111 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops in Gaza since the start of the offensive.
"Most of the wounded suffered serious injury which could lead to handicaps because of the frequent use by the Israeli army of heavy weapons such as missiles," Medicins du Monde said.
The organisation called humanitarian and medical access a "major problem."
"Certain areas occupied by the Israeli army have been closed, preventing civilians moving to safety. In these same areas, the supply of water and electricity has been temporarily cut off."
Residents of the areas have also suffered from a lack of food and general medical care, it said.
"Attempts by humanitarian organisations to get coordination (with Israeli authorities) to access these areas have been extremely difficult, often refused and most of the time delayed for hours."
Medical emergency services have also been subjected to delays of up to seven hours and come under gunfire, resulting in the serious injury to one ambulanceman and damage to several ambulances, the NGO said.