The UN chief condemned Israel’s attack on a school in Nusirat on Wednesday in a statement issued through his spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Thursday.
At least 12 people, including women and children, were killed in an Israeli attack on a school converted into a shelter for displaced people by UN aid agency UNRWA, including six UN staff.
“With this incident, the total number of UNRWA personnel killed in the Gaza war reaches 220,” said spokesman Stephane Dujarric, responding to reporters’ questions at a regular press conference at its New York headquarters.
Israeli forces and the army said they targeted a command post in the compound, the spokesman said. “There must be an independent and thorough investigation into this incident to ensure accountability.”
Stop the horrific violence
The UN chief demanded that all parties involved in the war in the Gaza Strip must protect the lives and necessities of civilians at all costs.
He also called for avoiding the use of schools and shelters or their surroundings for military purposes.
Spokesman Stephane Dujarric emphasized that all parties have a responsibility to comply with international humanitarian law.
“The Secretary-General reiterated his demand for an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages. The horrific violence must stop.”
Polio vaccination campaign continues
Spokesman Stephen Dujarric said the UN-led campaign in Gaza to provide polio vaccine doses to nearly 640,000 children under the age of 10 is continuing despite countless challenges.
“UNRWA reports that as of Wednesday, September 11, vaccine doses have been administered to 530,000 children across the Gaza Strip.”
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partner organizations, in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates, have since October (2023) evacuated a large number of patients from Gaza for better treatment, one such large-scale operation.
Also last Wednesday, 252 patients were evacuated from the Gaza Strip, including 97 seriously injured patients and 155 relatives.
The spokesman also said the situation remains critical on both sides of the Blue Line – the border line between Israel and Lebanon – and civilian casualties are rising, with children being the most affected.