2024-01-25 20:25:00
Death toll rises to 12 in bombing of UN shelter in Khan Younis, says UNRWA chief
The number of people killed following the bombing of a UN shelter in Khan Younis has risen to 12 people, UNRWA director Thomas White said in a statement on Thursday.
Another 75 people were injured, 15 of whom are in critical condition, White said.
Part of the UNRWA training center, which houses thousands of people, was hit by two projectiles and caught fire, White said.
U.N. staff managed to reach the site, west of Khan Younis, on Wednesday night after being denied access on multiple occasions, White said.
“The continued attacks on civilian sites in Khan Yunis are totally unacceptable and must stop immediately,” White said.
The Israel Defense Forces have “currently” ruled out that an air or artillery strike carried out by Israeli forces hit the UN facilities, according to an IDF statement.
“After an examination of our operational systems, the IDF has currently ruled out that this incident was the result of an IDF air or artillery strike,” the statement said.
The IDF said a “comprehensive review of the forces’ operations in the vicinity is underway,” adding that it is “examining the possibility that the attack was the result of Hamas fire.”
Some background: In the past week, the IDF has intensified its offensive on Khan Younis, where medical facilities housing displaced civilians and health workers have been hit. The IDF maintains that Hamas militants are located in hospitals in the area.
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