US ‘gravely concerned’ about deadly strike on UN compound in Gaza

The United States is “gravely concerned” about a reported strike Wednesday on a United Nations compound sheltering Palestinians in Gaza, according to a White House official.

Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, said the U.S. is seeking more information on the incident, adding it is “heartbreaking to see children killed, injured or orphaned.” 

“We are gravely concerned by reports today of strikes hitting a UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) facility — with subsequent reports of fires in the building—in a neighborhood in southern Gaza where more than 30,000 displaced Palestinians had reportedly been sheltering,” Watson said in a statement.

Thomas White, a senior official with the UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, said in a statement that one of the U.N.’s training centers in Khan Younis that was sheltering thousands of displaced people was hit Wednesday. He said at least 12 people have been confirmed dead and at least 75 people were injured.

The Israeli military has denied its forces were responsible for the strike, according to Reuters. The military said in a statement reported by the outlet that it examined the strike and determined its forces did not hit the center.

The BBC reported that Israel’s military was looking into its operations nearby and whether it was “Hamas’s fire” that struck the center.

Gaza has been ravaged by retaliatory attacks from Israel since Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel in October, killing about 1,200 people. Since then, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry has reported more than 25,700 people have been killed in the conflict, according to The Associated Press.

The Biden administration has backed Israel in its war against Hamas, saying the country has a right to defend itself. Watson reiterated the U.S.’s support for Israel in her Wednesday statement but said Israel has a responsibility to protect civilians.

“The United States is unwavering in our support for Israel’s right to defend itself, consistent with international humanitarian law, against Hamas terrorists who hide among the civilian population and want to annihilate the State of Israel,” Watson said. “But Israel retains a responsibility to protect civilians, including, humanitarian personnel and sites.”

“And, as President Biden has been clear from the earliest days of this crisis, the United States will also continue working to increase life-saving humanitarian assistance into Gaza and to bring home all of the hostages held there,” she added.

White also urged all parties “to protect civilians,” adding that the protection of hospitals, clinics, medical personal and U.N. sites is required under international law.

“The situation in Khan Younis underscores a consistent failure to uphold the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law: distinction, proportionality and precautions in carrying out attacks. This is unacceptable and abhorrent and must stop,” White said in a statement.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), said members from the WHO were aiding in the response to the attacks.

“The ongoing heavy bombardment, evacuation orders and killing of civilians in Khan Younis, #Gaza is just horrendous. @WHO team joined an @UNRWA mission to help those who were injured in today’s blast at the training centre where civilians were sheltering. Our deep condolences to the families who lost loved ones,” he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.