United Nation’s says 12 killed at Gaza shelter

By Nathan Morley

According to UNRWA, two shells struck its Khan Younis Training Centre. The facility is one of the biggest UNRWA shelters, with 40,000 people living inside its grounds. Israel has said the incident was not the result of an air or artillery strike by its military. 

Humanitarian situation 'appalling'

On Wednesday, the Israeli army encircled Khan Younis, leaving residents trapped in the city. Reports suggest troops have advanced deeper into the city, where they believe Hamas leaders are hiding in tunnels with hostages.

Residents said tanks had blocked the last road out of the city to the Mediterranean coast, essentially stopping them from fleeing the area.

There was also severe fighting around the city's two main medical facilities. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the humanitarian situation in Gaza was appalling and that the population was enduring destruction at a scale and speed without parallel in recent history.

Israeli losses

Amid all this, the funerals of 24 Israeli soldiers took place in Israel. Monday proved to be the most lethal day for Israeli troops since the start of their ground offensive in Gaza.

Official Israeli figures show a total of 198 Israeli troops have been killed since hostilities erupted.

Israel has been seeking to eradicate Hamas since the organization killed more than 1,300 people in October last year. In all, at least 25,295 people have been killed in Gaza since the Israeli military launched a large-scale air and ground campaign in response.