An Israeli protester holds a placard during a march organised in support of the Global Day of Rage against Israel's actions in Gaza in Melbourne, yesterday. Protest leaders called for an end to Israel's bombardment and blockade of Gaza, the Australian government to cut all economic, political and military ties with Israel. Similar protests also held in major cities of England, France, South Africa and many other nations. Photo: AFP

A seven-year blockade on the Gaza Strip must end to enable reconstruction and a political solution must be found to resolve the conflict, a UN official said yesterday.

"Huge swathes of Gaza have been levelled. We cannot rebuild it with our hands tied behind our backs," said Chris Gunness, spokesman for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).

"The blockade must end. We are beyond the realm of humanitarian action alone. All those directly and indirectly responsible for the carnage and destruction must engage," he said.

The lifting of Israel's land and sea blockade, imposed in 2006 after Hamas captured an Israeli soldier, has been a key demand of Hamas and the Palestinian Authority at stalled truce talks in Cairo.

At least 65,000 people have seen their homes destroyed in a month of fighting between Israel and Hamas and a "man-made homelessness crisis on an epic scale is unfolding", Gunness warned.

UN agencies and the Palestinian Authority are now working on a reconstruction plan which includes rebuilding water, sewerage facilities and electricity supplies.