UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the killing on Sunday of at least 10 Palestinian civilians in shelling outside a United Nations school in Rafah which had been sheltering thousands of civilians.

“The attack is yet another gross violation of international humanitarian law, which clearly requires protection by both parties of Palestinian civilians, UN staff and UN premises, among other civilian facilities,” declared Mr Ban in a statement issued by his spokesperson.

“United Nations shelters must be safe zones not combat zones,” the secretary-general’s statement said, adding that the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have been repeatedly informed of the location of these sites.

“This attack, along with other breaches of international law, must be swiftly investigated and those responsible held accountable. It is a moral outrage and a criminal act.”

The resurgence in fighting has only exacerbated the man-made humanitarian and health crisis wreaking havoc in Gaza.

The statement expressed “profound dismay” over the appalling escalation of violence and loss of hundreds of Palestinian civilian lives since the breach of a humanitarian ceasefire on Friday.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2014