It is said that the attack took place late Sunday night at a school located in Khan Younis area where people had taken shelter.
The UN Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) says 13 people have been killed and 48 injured so far. No warning was given before the attack.
Louise Wateridge, the UN agency’s senior emergency official, told UN News that it was yet another deadly night in the Gaza Strip. “Every day we start our day with a new fear.”
“I went to Nasser Hospital this morning. I spoke to a 17-year-old child named Mona. He had a very serious injury on his leg, the shrapnel had penetrated him and he was seriously injured.”
“She was at the hospital with her sister… Their mother died after being buried under the rubble.”
Another victim was two-year-old Julia, who suffered severe head injuries and lost sight in one eye. Julia’s five-year-old brother also suffered serious head injuries.
Emergency affairs officer Louise Wateridge said the families are originally from the Gaza Strip, but have been forcibly displaced seven or eight times so far.
“They finally arrived here at the (UNRWA) school and have been here for the past seven months, and now this has happened. “All this makes one feel very hopeless.”
risk of famine
Earlier, the head of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned that more than 14,500 children had lost their lives in Gaza so far. Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to be buried under the rubble.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell expressed her dismay in a message on social media that famine continues to loom over northern Gaza and humanitarian aid is being delivered in very limited amounts.
“Approximately 1.1 million children in Gaza need urgent protection and mental health support.”
Meanwhile, according to media reports, at least 69 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations in the past 24 hours from Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza to Rafah in the south.
Disruption of food aid
The UN’s World Food Program (WFP) has warned that ordinary people in Gaza are deeply concerned about the possibility of not getting enough food. Jonathan Dumont, WFP’s head of emergency communications, said a way had to be found to get food into Gaza from the outside.
In an online message from Gaza, he said, “There has been massive destruction.” Electricity and water supply is off, there is sewage problem. All have lost their homes and many people are living in tents.
He said people come to him for food and are very desperate. It can be seen in their faces and eyes. To prevent famine, it is important to find a way for a continuous supply of food.