UN Compound in Gaza Hit by Blasts, Killing Nine and Injuring Scores
In a tragic incident, a UN compound housing displaced civilians in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, was hit by blasts, resulting in the death of nine people and injuring many others. The UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, reported that two tank shells struck the training college in the western part of the city, where approximately 800 people were seeking shelter. While Israel has not commented directly on the blasts, they have confirmed that their forces were operating in the surrounding area.
The situation in Khan Younis has been dire, with Israeli troops encircling the city and ordering remaining residents to evacuate. The UNRWA’s Gaza director, Thomas White, expressed his distress on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating that the training center had been hit during the ongoing fighting, resulting in “mass casualties.” White further explained to CNN that the blasts targeted a carpentry building after two days of intense fighting around the center, during which UN staff were unable to reach the site. He added that despite assurances from the Israeli army about the safety of protected facilities, lives had been lost in and around these areas in recent days.
The violence in southern Gaza has escalated, particularly in the densely populated refugee camp within Khan Younis, which is situated near the UNWRA training center. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that their forces were positioned around the camp and had initiated operations within it as part of a larger strategy to dismantle Hamas’ military infrastructure. The IDF emphasized that Hamas had exploited the densely populated area, using shelters and hospitals for their operations.
The Gaza health ministry, run by Hamas, reported that over 200 Palestinians had been killed in the past 24 hours, marking some of the heaviest fighting witnessed during Israel’s campaign to destroy Hamas. This invasion was launched by Israel in response to Hamas’ attacks inside Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,300 people and the capture of more than 250 hostages. According to Gaza’s health ministry, the total death toll since then has exceeded 25,700.
Reports have also emerged of heavy fighting near hospitals in Khan Younis, including Nasser and Al-Amal. The UN humanitarian agency, OCHA, stated that Palestinians were attempting to flee the area, but ongoing bombardments prevented anyone from entering or exiting Nasser Hospital. Medics at the hospital reported that they were preparing graves on the facility’s grounds due to the anticipated high number of fatalities.
International pressure for a ceasefire has intensified, with mediators working towards a resolution. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated that Israel will continue its fight until Hamas is toppled and the remaining Israeli hostages taken by Hamas are released. The situation on the ground remains dire, with a cameraman for the UK’s ITV News capturing footage of a Palestinian civilian being shot dead while holding a white flag. The incident highlights the urgency for a humanitarian pause in the conflict.
In ongoing talks in Cairo, Egyptian mediators have proposed a new five-stage plan to Hamas to halt the war. The proposal includes a humanitarian truce in exchange for the release of Israeli civilians held by Hamas. However, a major obstacle remains regarding the timing of Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi accused Israel of deliberately delaying aid deliveries at the Rafah border crossing into Gaza to increase pressure on Hamas. Israel maintains that inspections are necessary to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas.
As the violence continues to escalate and casualties mount, the international community must intensify efforts to bring about an immediate and sustained ceasefire. The lives of innocent civilians are at stake, and urgent action is needed to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering in Gaza.
