Aftermath of UN Facility Shelling: Survivors’ Accounts of Horror
Date: July 12, 2024
Location: Khan Younis, Gaza Strip
The Event
On July 10, 2024, a United Nations facility in the Gaza city of Khan Younis was struck by a barrage of shells, resulting in a tragic loss of life and leaving dozens injured. The facility, part of a training complex run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), was sheltering approximately 800 people at the time of the attack.
Survivors’ Stories
Nahed Tanteesh, a displaced individual who had sought refuge at the center three months prior, recounted the harrowing moments of the attack. While playing with his 4-month-old grandchild after morning prayers, he was struck under his left eye by a piece of shrapnel. The sudden, intense pain left him feeling as though his head had burst open, and blood gushed from his nose.
Tanteesh was evacuated to a medical facility in Rafah after managing to escape through a safe corridor from the center. His son, Abdullah Tanteesh, described the chaotic and terrifying situation they faced. They were abruptly awakened in the early morning hours by deafening booms and gunfire. For nearly six hours, they endured relentless shooting and explosions, feeling trapped and vulnerable.
Abdullah Tanteesh witnessed the suffering of his bleeding father and desperately sought assistance. He carried his father around the center, searching for help, but encountered a disheartening response from a security official wearing U.N. armor. Despite their pleas for help, they were told that the official was in the same predicament, trapped and unable to provide aid.
Abdullah Tanteesh eventually managed to leave the facility in search of help through a so-called safety corridor. He witnessed the funerals of at least ten individuals, including a woman whose head was severed and another whose insides were exposed. The bodies were taken to a warehouse in the center, wrapped in blankets, and hastily buried in a mass grave.
UNRWA’s Response
Thomas White, the director of the UNRWA’s mission in Gaza, issued a statement expressing grave concern over the deteriorating safety conditions in Khan Younis. He attributed this crisis to a consistent failure to uphold international humanitarian law and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Israeli Military’s Statement
In response to the attack, the Israeli military released a statement asserting that the strike did not originate from Israeli aerial or artillery operations. They indicated that they were investigating the possibility that Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, may have been responsible for the attack.
Ongoing Conflict
The shelling of the UN facility occurred amidst ongoing clashes between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters in the Khan Younis area. Israeli troops had encircled the city and were engaged in intense fighting with some of Hamas’ fiercest combatants.
Conclusion
The attack on the UN facility in Khan Younis serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of armed conflict on innocent civilians. Survivors’ accounts paint a vivid picture of the horror and suffering endured during the attack. The ongoing clashes in the Gaza Strip underscore the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, ensuring the protection of civilians and upholding international humanitarian law.