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IOF kills six Palestinians in UNRWA shelter: UN official

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
23 Jan 2024 22:13
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UNRWA chief calls for extreme caution to minimize harm to spare civilians and UN premises.

The Commissioner-General of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the UNRWA headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 (AP)

UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini reported that 6 displaced individuals lost their lives after the IOF targeted a UN-run shelter in Khan Younis, located in the southern Gaza Strip.

"One of the largest [UNRWA] shelters in Khan Yunis (southern Gaza) was hit during military operations yesterday [Monday]. At least 6 displaced people were killed, and many more were injured during intense fighting around our shelter," Philippe Lazzarini said.

Amid the chaos, shelter staff, patients, and displaced individuals found themselves trapped in various local hospitals. Lazzarini emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "Heavy fighting continues, leaving individuals stranded and vulnerable."

"I call on all parties to take every precaution to minimize harm and protect civilians, medical facilities, and personnel and [UN] premises in accordance with international law," Lazzarini implored.

Meanwhile, the Palestine Red Crescent Society reported on Tuesday that Israeli shelling targeted al-Amal Hospital and its headquarters in Khan Younis, resulting in one death and 12 injuries.

Day 109: 25,490 martyred, 63,345 injured in Gaza

The Health Ministry in Gaza released a statement today announcing that the number of Palestinians killed by "Israel" in its ongoing genocidal war on the Strip since October 7 surged to 25,490, in addition to 63,345 injuries.

The Ministry emphasized that the IOF committed 22 massacres across the Gaza Strip, murdering 195 Palestinians and wounding 354 others.

“Many people are still trapped under the rubble and on the roads and rescuers can’t reach them,” the statement added.

According to the UN, about 85% of Gazans have been deliberately displaced by the occupation as it continues to starve them. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have no shelter, and ⁠less than half of aid trucks can enter the territory, knowing that in several instances, Israeli occupation forces opened fire and targeted those seeking aid and others who were distributing it.