The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has expressed “deep concern” over Israeli military strikes on densely populated areas across Gaza that continue to kill and injure civilians.
“Civilians and civilian infrastructure, including humanitarians and their supplies and property, must always be protected,” UN deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters on Monday, conveying OCHA’s message.
Citing casualty reports from UNICEF, Haq said nine children had been killed or died of their wounds during the previous week.
The victims included two sisters aged six and 12, as well as four other children aged between three and 14, he said.
Gunfire also killed a pregnant woman and her unborn child, while at least 13 other children were wounded.
Haq said security partners had reported persistent attacks across Gaza over the weekend, particularly west of the “Yellow Line”. The attacks involved air strikes, artillery shelling, naval fire and gunfire.
Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 8, 2023 have killed more than 73,000 Palestinians and wounded over 174,000 others, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Around 90 percent of the enclave’s infrastructure has been destroyed.
Israeli violations of the October 10 ceasefire agreement have killed 1,372 Palestinians and injured 4,659 others as of Monday, the ministry said.
