UN officials slam Israel’s second attack on ‘safe’ school shelter: ‘Attacks on safe zones violate international law’

Israel's military assault on Gaza has been slammed as 'a moral outrage and a criminal act' after a second attack on a UN school leaves more children dead

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by Kayleigh Dray |
Published on

This weekend saw 10 people, including children, killed - and at least 30 hurt - in a missile attack at a UN school sheltering refugees forced from their homes by nearly a month of war.

READ: 5 MONTH OLD BABY KILLED AS ISRAEL INVADE GAZA

Among the dead were at least four children, who had been buying sweets at the time of the attack, and Hazen Abu Hilal, the school's caretaker.

It was the second such incident in less than a week, prompting another emotional outburst from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who appeared to blame Israel.

WATCH: JOURNALIST BREAKS DOWN ON LIVE TV AFTER WITNESSING HUNDREDS OF DEATHS IN ISRAEL/PALESTINE CONFLICT

He said: "The attack is yet another gross violation of international humanitarian law.

"United Nations shelters must be safe zones not combat zones.

"The Israel Defence Forces have been repeatedly informed of the location of these sites. This attack, along with other breaches of international law, must be swiftly investigated and those responsible held accountable."

A young child is treated for injuries after an attack in Gaza.
A young child is treated for injuries after an attack in Gaza.

It is not the first time Mr Ban has criticised Israel's actions; just last week he condemned an attack on another assault on a UN school in Jabaliya, that left 16 dead.

The Israeli army said it had targeted three members of Islamic Jihad on a motorbike near the school - contradicting witnesses who said they saw no vehicles - but was investigating the effects of the attack.

Following the attack, Israel announced that it will hold its fire in most of the Gaza Strip for a seven-hour “humanitarian window” on Monday.

SEE: GAZA CEASEFIRE BROKEN AFTER JUST THREE HOURS

According to an army statement, the ceasefire will take place between 10am and 5pm local time in all of the Palestinian enclave besides the area east of southern city Rafah, “where clashes were still ongoing and there was Israeli military presence.”

Meanwhile health officials in Gaza have said that 1,800 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed and more than 9,000 injured since the conflict began nearly four weeks ago.

A young baby, born by cesarean amidst the conflict, sadly passed away just a few days after her 'miracle' birth.

Sixty-six Israelis have died, all but two of them soldiers. A Thai national working in Israel was also killed.

News presenter Jon Snow has made an emotional plea for an end to the violence that has led to deaths and maiming of scores of children in Gaza.

READ: OUTRAGE AS IT'S REVEALED SIMON COWELL DONATED £90K TO ISRAELI ARMY, WHO HAVE CAUSED DEATHS OF HUNDREDS IN GAZA

He said: "The average age [of citizens in Gaza] is 17. That means that about 250,000 are under 10. And if you know any 10-year-olds, seven-year-olds, five-year-olds four-year-olds.

"The idea that in the looseness of a war zone, that you can control your children, that they won’t be somewhere where they can be hit, is beyond any kind of imagination.

"So that in a very densely packed urban area, if you decide to throw misiles, shells, and the rest, then you will undoubtedly kill children. And that is what [the Israeli government] are doing.

"We cannot let it go on.

"If our reporting is worth anything, if your preparedness to listen and watch and read is anything to go by, then together we can make a difference."

You should also read: Terrified young girl live-tweets terrifying attack in Gaza, insisting 'I might die tonight'

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