Guterres condemns death of 6 UNRWA staff and 12 others in Israeli airstrike, calls for independent investigation
In a statement released through his Spokesperson, Secretary-General António Guterres condemns the latest Israeli attack on a school being used as a shelter in Nuseirat on Wednesday, which killed six staff members of the UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWAwith at least 12 othersincluding women and children.
“This incident brings the total number of UNRWA staff killed in this conflict to 220,” UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York.
“The Israel Defense Forces stated that they targeted a command and control center in the complex,” he said. “This incident must be investigated independently and thoroughly to ensure accountability.“ .
‘The terrible violence must end’
The UN chief called on all fighting forces to protect the lives and “essential needs” of civilians across the Gaza Strip, urge them to stop using schools and shelters – or the areas around them – for military purposes.
Mr. Dujarric stressed that all parties have an obligation to always comply with international humanitarian law.
“Secretary General reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages are being held in Gaza. This terrible violence must end.”
Polio vaccination continues
Despite the challenges, the UN-led polio vaccination campaign to inoculate some 640,000 children in Gaza with two doses of the type 2 vaccine is continuing, Mr. Dujarric told journalists.
“UNRWA tells us that as of yesterday, nearly 530,000 children across the Gaza Strip have been vaccinated.”
A baby is treated at a hospital in Gaza.
Nearly 100 seriously ill patients have been evacuated.
World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, in coordination with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have organized the largest medical evacuation from Gaza since last October, the UN health agency has reported.
A total of 252 people left the area on Wednesday including 97 seriously ill and injured patients and 155 accompanying peopleThey passed through the Kerem Shalom border crossing to Ramon Airport in Israel to continue their journey to Abu Dhabi for specialist care, the WHO added.
The patients suffered from a variety of conditions, including brain tumours, cancer, amputations and severe injuries sustained during war, said WHO regional director Hanan Balky.
“This achievement comes as WHO and partners are also completing the first round of a polio campaign targeting 640,000 children under 10 years of age,” he said in a post on X.
“I am extremely grateful to the UAE for their generosity in receiving and treating patients from Gaza, and to the dedicated teams at WHO and our partners for their tireless efforts despite the challenges.”
Children die in Lebanon
The situation on both sides of the Green Line dividing southern Lebanon and northern Israel “remains fragile and is taking a toll on civilians, especially children,” Mr Dujarric said on Thursday.
United Nations peacekeeping forces patrol the demarcation area and provide services to civilians in need, United NationsTwo children were killed in a drone strike in southern Lebanon on Wednesday evening, authorities said.
UNIFIL once again condemns all attacks on civilians and calls on all parties to the conflict to cease fire across the Blue Line and return to the ceasefire.
