Gaza City –January 15, 2009 – A central United Nations compound in the Gaza Strip has been hit by what were most likely three white phosphorus shells in the fighting between Hamas and the Israeli military today, UN officials said. At least two key medical facilities and a two press buildings were also hit in separate incidents. “It looks like phosphorus, it smells like phosphorus and it burns like phosphorus,” said Chris Gunness, a spokesman for UNRWA, the aid agency for Palestinian refugees, about the situation in at the compound. He based his knowledge on contact with UN staff on the ground.
Some 700 Palestinians were inside the building, seeking refuge from the fighting, when it was hit, but the UN has since evacuated them to a nearby elementary school. The attack drew sharp condemnation from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who was in Tel Aviv talking with Israeli officials about a ceasefire for the enclave. “I conveyed my strong protest and outrage to the defense minister and the foreign minister and demanded a full investigation,” said Ban, adding that “Defense Minister Barak said to me it was a grave mistake.”
The central warehouse in the compound, containing food and medicine, was ablaze and fuel supplies were not safe from the fire, officials said. The compound houses large fuel reserves to allow humanitarian agencies to carry out their work. The UN was in the process of trying to move five fuel tankers out of the danger area. “White phosphorus cannot be put out with water, but we do not have any sand in the compound,” said Gunness. The building was clearly marked with UN flags and officials were blaming Israel for the attack. The UN has suspended all work in the area near the compound, but Gunness said that the agency was still working in other areas, bringing in humanitarian goods to the enclave. Adnan Abu Hasna, also with UNRWA, denied there was any militant activity inside the compound. A UN official said “there is no where safe to go” in Gaza City.
Also, the Al Quds hospital in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood sustained serious damage in the early afternoon and one wing was on fire. A main building of the Palestinian Red Crescent was also hit. A tower housing several central media outlets, including the Reuters news agency, was also hit, and two journalists were said to be seriously wounded. Another press building was also hit. “These are buildings housing journalists working for international news agencies and must not be targeted,” The Foreign Press Association in Tel Aviv said, adding that it was “alarmed.” The buildings were known to the military to house press, the FPA said.