U.N. School Hit In Gaza, Atleast 6 Killed

The U.N. says at least six people were killed when one of its schools in central Gaza Strip was hit Tuesday (17 Oct).

Spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Stéphane Dujarric, briefed reporters in New York, confirming the incident.
Dujarric quoted UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini, who separately said in a statement that dozens of people were also injured, including agency staff, when the UNRWA school in the al-Maghazi refugee camp came under bombardment. Lazzarini said the school -- which has served as a shelter for some 4,000 displaced people since the latest hostilities began -- was seriously damaged.

“Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said that this is ‘outrageous, and it again shows a flagrant disregard for the lives of civilians. No place is safe in Gaza anymore, not even UNRWA facilities,’ he warned,” Dujarric said, reading Lazzarini's statement.

Additionally, Dujarric reiterated what has been said for days: that no aid is coming into Gaza and supplies are running out.

The U.N. agency for Palestinians, UNRAW, Dujarric said, remains concerned over the water shortage in the territory: “today that water remains a key issue in Gaza as people will start dying if they don't get water. Concerns over dehydration and waterborne diseases are high given the collapse of water and sanitation services, including today's shut down of Gaza's last functioning seawater desalination plant.”