A Japanese nurse who returned home from the Gaza Strip has urged people not to be "onlookers" regarding what is going on in the enclave.
Kawase Sachiko of the Japanese Red Cross Society made the call at a news conference in Tokyo on Friday.
She has provided medical assistance at Al-Quds Hospital in the northern part of the Gaza Strip since July.
As Israel urged the people of Gaza to evacuate south, Kawase moved to Rafah in southern Gaza. She said she was taking care of evacuees until she crossed into Egypt on November 1.
Kawase said that after the date was set for her to flee to Egypt, a member of the hospital's staff welcomed the news that she would be able to move to safety.
She said the person told her that although all lives should have equal value the world is not fair, and people in Gaza are denied human rights and suffer misery. The person added that even this message would not be heard.
Kawase said she was heartbroken to hear those words spoken with tears.
She said the number of deaths and injuries continues to rise in Gaza even during her news conference. She added that no one should be an onlooker during this historic tragedy.
She said if enough people make their voices heard, it will lead to action by the international community.