In a tragic incident, at least five individuals, including a UNRWA staff member, lost their lives, and 22 others sustained injuries as Israeli forces targeted a food distribution center in Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip.
Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner General, expressed deep concern, stating that the strike struck one of the few remaining UNRWA distribution centers in the eastern part of Rafah. Lazzarini emphasized the critical nature of the situation, highlighting the dwindling food supplies and escalating hunger, with some areas on the brink of famine.
Despite the UNRWA's routine sharing of facility coordinates with all parties involved in the conflict, the attack occurred even though the Israeli Army had received the coordinates, including those of the targeted facility, the day before.
Lazzarini urged for the protection of UN personnel and facilities and called for an independent investigation into the incident.
While Israel acknowledged the airstrike, claiming it targeted and killed a high-ranking member of Hamas, the UNRWA head's statement painted a grim picture of the ongoing violence. Since October 7, 165 team members have been killed in the line of duty, and over 400 individuals seeking shelter in UN buildings have lost their lives due to Israeli attacks.
In a separate incident, the Gaza Strip's health ministry reported six fatalities from another Israeli attack on Palestinians awaiting humanitarian aid at the Kuwait Roundabout in Gaza City. The attack left 83 wounded individuals transferred to local medical facilities.
Israeli forces' increased offensives in areas like the Kuwait Roundabout, where aid deliveries are awaited, have led to multiple casualties, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation.
With the delivery of humanitarian supplies to northern Gaza restricted by the Israeli military for weeks, thousands of children are facing shortages of food and medication. Unless a ceasefire is implemented and aid substantially increased, humanitarian officials warn of a rise in malnutrition and disease, leading to further loss of life.
