The conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to mount, with now over 1,300 dead and an overwhelming amount of the casualties being children. On Wednesday, the Israeli Defense Force bombed a school serving as a United Nations shelter and the organization has condemned the attack by calling it “shameful.”
Across Palestine, more than 200,000 citizens have taken shelter in U.N. schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. The Jebaliya Primary School for Girls was hit by four IDF shells early Wednesday morning, killing 20 and wounding dozens as they slept. According to reports from UNRWA workers on the ground, this is the sixth such school to be struck and prompted a statement from the group.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon did not mince words in addressing Israel’s seemingly wanton attacks on school buildings even after U.N. officials gave the IDF school coordinates to stave off mistaken attacks.
From BBC:
Spokesman Chris Gunness told the BBC that Israel had been told 17 times that the school was housing displaced people, saying the attack caused “universal shame”.
Mr Ban later said: “I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. It is outrageous. It is unjustifiable, and it demands accountability and justice.
“Nothing is more shameful than attacking sleeping children.”
More than 3,000 civilians had sought shelter at the school.
Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said: “This is a moment where you really have to say: ‘Enough is enough.'”
The United States, an ally of Israel, has also condemned the nation for the recent round of attacks in the Gaza region but hasn’t stopped supplying military aid to the IDF nor is it blaming the country.
Below, a video statement from UNRAW spokesperson Chris Gunness regarding the attacks was unable to be finished as he became overcome with emotion. A warning: the clip may be a trigger for some.
[NY Mag]
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Photo: BBC News/YouTube
