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Israel 'shelled civilian shelter' | Israel 'shelled civilian shelter' |
(30 minutes later) | |
Israeli forces shelled a house in the Gaza Strip which they had moved around 110 Palestinians into 24 hours earlier, the UN quotes witnesses as saying. | Israeli forces shelled a house in the Gaza Strip which they had moved around 110 Palestinians into 24 hours earlier, the UN quotes witnesses as saying. |
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) called it "one of the gravest incidents" since the beginning of the offensive. | The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) called it "one of the gravest incidents" since the beginning of the offensive. |
The shelling at Zeitoun, a south-east suburb of Gaza City, on 5 January killed some 30 people, the report said. | The shelling at Zeitoun, a south-east suburb of Gaza City, on 5 January killed some 30 people, the report said. |
Israel says it has looked into the allegations and they are unfounded. | |
Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said no Israeli soldiers had been in the area on the day the incident was supposed to have happened. | |
The OCHA report said: "According to several testimonies, on 4 January Israeli foot soldiers evacuated approximately 110 Palestinians into a single-residence house in Zeitoun (half of whom were children) warning them to stay indoors. | |
"Twenty-four hours later, Israeli forces shelled the home repeatedly, killing approximately 30." | "Twenty-four hours later, Israeli forces shelled the home repeatedly, killing approximately 30." |
The UN said those who survived and were able walked 2km to the main north-south road to be transported to hospital in civilian vehicles. | The UN said those who survived and were able walked 2km to the main north-south road to be transported to hospital in civilian vehicles. |
"Three children, the youngest of whom was five months old, died upon arrival at the hospital," the report said. | "Three children, the youngest of whom was five months old, died upon arrival at the hospital," the report said. |
'No safe haven' | 'No safe haven' |
Allegra Pacheco, of OCHA in Jerusalem, said they were not accusing the Israelis of a deliberate act, but said the incident needed to be investigated. | Allegra Pacheco, of OCHA in Jerusalem, said they were not accusing the Israelis of a deliberate act, but said the incident needed to be investigated. |
She also said they were concerned at claims by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that ambulances were only allowed access to the neighbourhood on Thursday - four days after the alleged incident. | She also said they were concerned at claims by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) that ambulances were only allowed access to the neighbourhood on Thursday - four days after the alleged incident. |
The ICRC on Thursday accused Israel of failing to fulfil its duty to help wounded civilians in Gaza. | The ICRC on Thursday accused Israel of failing to fulfil its duty to help wounded civilians in Gaza. |
"In Gaza, there is a severe protection of civilians crisis. There is no safe haven, no safe space, for all the civilians, particularly children," Ms Pacheco told the BBC. | "In Gaza, there is a severe protection of civilians crisis. There is no safe haven, no safe space, for all the civilians, particularly children," Ms Pacheco told the BBC. |
"Since the ground operation, the number of children killed has risen by 250%." | "Since the ground operation, the number of children killed has risen by 250%." |
An estimated 770 Palestinians and 14 Israelis have died in nearly two weeks of Israel's air and ground offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas. | An estimated 770 Palestinians and 14 Israelis have died in nearly two weeks of Israel's air and ground offensive against the Palestinian militant group Hamas. |
The UN Security Council has called for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. | The UN Security Council has called for an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. |
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