Global outrage over Israeli attack on UN Gaza office
Palestinian families flee the Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood in Gaza City following Israeli strikes yesterday. Photo: AFP
UN chief Ban Ki-moon led international protests yesterday describing the Palestinian death toll as "unbearable" as Israeli air strikes set hospitals, media and UN buildings ablaze.
"I have conveyed my strong protest and outrage and demanded a full explanation from the defence minister and foreign minister," Ban told reporters in Tel Aviv after the strike on a UN compound in Gaza.
The UN suspended its operations in Gaza after Israeli shells smashed into its compound, setting fire to warehouses holding badly-needed aid.
Other strikes set a hospital wing on fire and wounded two cameramen in a building housing international and Arab media outlets.
"The number of casualties has reached an unbearable point," said Ban, who is due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert later Thursday.
Since Israel launched its offensive on December 27, at least 1,070 people have been killed, including at least 355 children, 100 women, 117 elderly men and 12 medics, say Gaza medics. Another 5,000 people have been wounded.
France also denounced the latest attacks.
"We condemn in the strongest terms the bombings this morning by the Israeli army of several hospitals and a building housing international media in Gaza city," said French foreign ministry spokesman Eric Chevallier.
Chevallier also condemned the attack on the UN building, adding.
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