The shelling hit the New Nuseirat school, located in downtown Gaza Strip, which has been attacked for the fifth time since the onset of the conflict, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary General António Guterres, told the press.

According to Tel Aviv authorities, the operation targeted a Hamas command center inside the building.

“UN facilities should never be attacked, nor should they be used by any group or force to launch military activities,” the UN spokesperson added in response to those claims.

Any aggression against a building identified with the UN flag constitutes a violation of international humanitarian law, he stressed.

The local authorities assured that the center housed about 5,000 displaced civilians, while the UN warned that some of the victims could be part of its personnel.

The UN further claimed the detention of a humanitarian convoy by Israeli troops who targeted and shot at their vehicles before interrogating two staff members.

This is the latest example of the unacceptable dangers and hurdles being experienced by staff in Gaza, Dujarric denounced during his regular briefing.

The UN called on all sides to comply with international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack.

Ied/omr/arc/ebr