“This has already been a deadly weekend of attacks in North Gaza. In the past 48 hours alone, over 50 children have reportedly been killed in Jabalia, where strikes leveled two residential buildings sheltering hundreds of people,” Russell said in a statement on Saturday.
“And this morning, the personal vehicle of a UNICEF staff member working on the polio vaccination campaign came under fire by what we believe to be a quadcopter while driving through Jabalia – Elnazla. The car was damaged. Fortunately, the staff member was not injured, but she has been left deeply shaken,” Russell said.
“Meanwhile, at least three children were reportedly injured by another attack in the proximity of a vaccination clinic in Sheikh Radwan, while a polio vaccination campaign was underway.
“The attacks on Jabalia, the vaccination clinic and the UNICEF staff member are yet further examples of the grave consequences of the indiscriminate strikes on civilians in the Gaza strip.”
“Taken alongside the horrific level of child deaths in north Gaza from other attacks, these most recent events combine to write yet another dark chapter in one of the darkest periods of this terrible war.”
“Civilians and civilian structures, including residential buildings, as well as humanitarian workers and their vehicles, must always be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law.”
“Yet these principles are being flaunted over and over again, leaving tens of thousands of children killed, injured, and deprived of essential services needed for survival.”
“Attacks on civilians, including humanitarian workers, and what remains of Gaza’s civilian facilities and infrastructure must stop. The entire Palestinian population in north Gaza, especially children, is at imminent risk of dying from disease, famine, and the ongoing bombardments.
The UNICEF official has called on Israel to launch an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack on its staff member, and to take action to hold accountable those found responsible.
“UNICEF also calls on member states to use their influence to ensure respect for international law, prioritizing the protection of children. It is beyond time to end this war,” she concluded the statement. (ILKHA)