The United Nations Concerned About Israeli Attacks On Gaza Killing Civilians Amid Ceasefire

Palestinian children in the ruins of the Gaza Strip. (Wikimedia Commons/UN OCHA)

JAKARTA - The United Nations on Thursday expressed deep concern over Israel's latest airstrikes against the Gaza Strip that have killed several civilians, including children, even though the Gaza ceasefire was signed on October 10.

"We are deeply concerned by the Israeli airstrikes we have witnessed where civilians were reported killed and injured yesterday, including children," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told a news conference.

Noting "this is a clear reminder of how fragile the ceasefire is," Dujarric said: "All we need is for all parties to ensure that this ceasefire applies and continues."

He further stressed, "civil residents must always be protected and kept away from danger."

The Israeli army killed 25 Palestinians and injured 77 people in a series of consecutive attacks on Wednesday in several areas Israel had previously withdrawn, which Palestinian authorities have called a violation of the ceasefire agreement, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

Later, the Ministry of Health in the Palestinian enclave confirmed that the attack killed at least 32 people, including 12 children and eight women, and 88 others were injured, quoted from The National.

Data from Palestinian factions, human rights groups and government agencies shows that Israel has committed dozens of ceasefire violations since the agreement took effect on October 10.

Israel has killed 280 Palestinians and injured 672 people since October 11, Gaza's Ministry of Health said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, more than 69,500 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip, since Israel launched an attack in response to the kidnapping of 251 people by Hamas-led militants and the killings of about 1,200 people, most civilians, in the October 7, 2023 attacks.