The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has stated that the escalation of fighting in Derna - eastern Libya - has reached unprecedented levels due to the use of airstrikes and artillery shelling.

"Some of the attacks have been targeting residential areas, besides heavy ground clashes." OHCA added in a report on Thursday.

"The humanitarian situation is worsening as severe water, food and medicine shortages continue to exacerbate. Electricity and water are completely cut off for the approximately 125,000 residents." The report reads.

The report also remarked that at least five civilians have died since May 22, including two children, and 11 have been injured, including four children, as a result of the increased hostilities.

"The humanitarian community calls on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and minimise civilian casualties." The report calls, saying all parties need to ensure civilians’ freedom of movement and facilitate the safe exit of those civilians wishing to leave Derna.

It added that there is an urging need for an immediate safe and unrestricted access to Derna for humanitarian actors and humanitarian goods needs to be granted.

The self-styled army forces of Khalifa Haftar have been for weeks toughening the siege along with the bombing and shelling on Derna in an attempt to push forward and enter the city.

Caught up in the middle, Derna civilian population has been deprived of so many basic needs such as cooking gas, fuel and oxygen for hospitals and foods as well as medicines. due to the encirclement of Haftar's forces, which has been ongoing for over two years.