Khan Younis: UN Reports 12 Dead at Gaza Shelter Amid Ongoing Fighting
At least 12 people were killed and 75 injured when a UN facility sheltering civilians was struck in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, according to the UN's Palestinian refugee agency. The facility, run by UNRWA, was hit by two shells during fighting in the city's western outskirts. Israel's military has denied responsibility and is reviewing nearby operations to determine if it was Hamas fire. The clashes and bombardment around the city's hospitals have also trapped thousands of patients, staff, and displaced people.
UN Facility Struck in Khan Younis, Southern Gaza
According to the UN's Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, at least 12 people were killed and 75 injured when a UN facility that was sheltering civilians was struck in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. The facility, known as the Khan Younis Training Centre, was hit by two shells during the fighting in the city's western outskirts. UNRWA's commissioner condemned the incident, calling it a "blatant disregard of basic rules of war."
Israel's military has denied responsibility for the attack and stated that it was ruling out the possibility that it was the result of one of its own air or artillery strikes. Instead, it is reviewing nearby Israeli operations to determine if it was "Hamas fire." Israeli troops have been engaging with Hamas fighters as they make their way into western Khan Younis.
The clashes and bombardment around the city's two main hospitals have also left thousands of patients, staff, and displaced people unable to leave, increasing the humanitarian crisis.
Thousands Displaced and Lives at Risk
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has led to an estimated 1.7 million people, nearly three-quarters of the population of Gaza, being displaced in the past 12 weeks of fighting. Many of these people are seeking shelter in UN facilities or near them. The Khan Younis Training Centre, where the recent attack occurred, is one of the largest UNRWA shelters and is said to be housing between 30,000 and 40,000 displaced people.
UNRWA has emphasized that the training centre is clearly marked, its co-ordinates have been shared with Israeli authorities, and it and the civilians inside should be protected under international law. However, despite these measures, the training centre was struck during the intense fighting, resulting in the death of at least six displaced people and injuries to many more.
The situation in Khan Younis highlights the failure to uphold international humanitarian law, including distinction, proportionality, and precautions in carrying out attacks. The UNRWA director called for an end to such actions.
Ongoing Conflict and Calls for Ceasefire
The conflict between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of abating, with casualties and destruction mounting in Gaza. Efforts to reach a ceasefire involving several countries are ongoing, but both sides have rejected proposals, dampening hopes for progress. The United States has called for the protection of civilians in Gaza, while the UK Prime Minister expressed concern over the ongoing conflict and called for an immediate and sustained humanitarian pause.
Meanwhile, the clashes and bombardment in Khan Younis have resulted in the isolation of hospitals and the carrying out of massacres, according to Gaza's health ministry. The Palestine Red Crescent Society has reported being under siege by Israeli forces, with trapped patients, wounded individuals, and displaced people unable to escape. Médecins Sans Frontières has also warned of the dangerous situation in hospitals, with staff unable to evacuate due to the inaccessible and dangerous roads.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the continued fighting putting lives at risk. The international community continues to call for a ceasefire and the protection of civilians, but the conflict shows no signs of immediate resolution.
