‘Deeply shocked’ by Israeli attacks on two UNRWA schools in Gaza: Guterres

Sherry El Gergawi , Sunday 19 Nov 2023

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply shocked” by Israeli strucking of two UNRWA schools in less than 24 hours in Gaza.

Guterres
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres observes a minute of silence in memory of colleagues killed in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas conflict at UN headquarters in New York on November 13, 2023. AFP

 

In a statement published on the UN website on Sunday, Antonio Guterres slammed Israeli attacks on two UNRWA schools in the Gaza Strip where people shelter from incessant Israeli bombardments.

Guterres added that the war on Gaza caused a "staggering and unacceptable number of civilian casualties" uptill now and again called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

Estimates from Palestinian officials in Gaza say that about 200 people were killed in the bombing of the UNRWA school.

Earlier on Sunday, the UNRWA commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini described the Israeli double attacks on school-turned-shelter in northern Gaza as "cruel."

“Once again, shelters meant to provide safety and protection to civilians have been hit, killing many people, including children. These acts not only blatantly contravene the rules of war, they also show a total disregard for humanity," he said

He added that "this vicious war is reaching a point of no return when all rules are disrespected, in overt disregard for civilian lives.”

The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza said 13000 people have been killed in Israel's relentless aerial bombardment and ground operations sice October 7.

The ministry added that more than 5,500 children were among the dead, alongside 3,500 women, with 30,000 more people wounded.

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