Bethlehem – Ma’an/Agencies – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon expressed outrage to top Israeli officials on Thursday after Israeli forces shelled the main UN relief compound in Gaza City.
"I conveyed my strong protest and outrage to the defense minister and the foreign minister and demanded a full explanation," Ban said, adding that he had demanded an investigation into the shelling.
"I conveyed my strong protest and outrage to the defense minister and the foreign minister and demanded a full explanation," Ban said, adding that he had demanded an investigation into the shelling.
"The defense minister said to me it was a grave mistake and he took it very seriously. He assured me that extra attention will be paid to UN facilities and staff and this will not be repeated," Ban added.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said its compound, where up to 700 Palestinians were being sheltered, was hit twice by fire and three staff members were wounded.
Ban met Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni earlier Thursday as a part of a visit to the region aimed at bringing an end to the 10-day Israeli offensive on Gaza.
Last week Israeli forces shelled another UNRWA installation, the Fakhoura girls school in Jabaliya, killing more than 40 Palestinian civilians.
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Sequence of attacks
15.01.2009 19:49
The UNRWA complained and the Israelis apologised and said it wouldn't happen again. The senior IDF officers who were dealing with the UN admitted there were no militants in or around the compound.
An hour later six white phosporus shells directly hit the UN warehouse. The Israelis apologised.
It is time the UN bombed Tel Aviv to the ground. And then apologise.
Daniel
While the anarchist groups bicker
15.01.2009 22:48
Daniel
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http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5521925.ece