GAZA: At least nine people were killed and 75 others wounded when Israeli tank shelling targeted a UN shelter in Gaza’s main southern city of Khan Yunis on Wednesday, said Thomas White, the Gaza head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
“Two tank rounds hit building that shelters 800 people – reports now 9 dead and 75 injured,” Thomas White, UNRWA’s Gaza director, said on X, formerly Twitter.
Update – attack on Khan Younis Training Centre this afternoon – two tank rounds hit building that shelters 800 people – reports now 9 dead and 75 injured@UNRWA and @WHO team trying to reach the centre – agreed upon route with Israeli Army blocked with earth bank #Gaza
— Thomas White (@TomWhiteGaza) January 24, 2024
Efforts by UNRWA and the World Health Organization to reach the shelter, blocked for two days, were underway.
“There was an estimated 10,000 people sheltering at that facility,” James McGoldrick, interim UN humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories, told reporters Wednesday by video link.
The UNRWA training center had also been struck earlier, causing mass casualties and significant damage. The same shelter was hit during previous military operations, leading to the death of at least six displaced individuals.
Intense fighting near hospitals in Khan Yunis was reported, with Israeli tanks reportedly encircling Nasser hospital.
The Israeli army confirmed the encirclement of Khan Yunis, which has become a focal point in recent hostilities.
