UN urges protection of civilians in Palestinian territories

The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the continued civilian casualties resulting from Israeli airstrikes and other military operations in the Gaza Strip over the weekend, stressing the need to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Palestinian territories.

According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said during a press briefing that reports indicated a child was among the victims, and that facilities within Al-Aqsa Hospital complex in Deir al-Balah were damaged in one of the strikes.

The UN spokesperson emphasized the importance of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, and said they must not be targeted or used for military purposes.

On the humanitarian front, Dujarric stated that the United Nations and its partners continue to prepare for the rainy season in Gaza, warning that a lack of funding, restrictions on the entry of materials, fuel shortages, and a lack of spare parts and heavy machinery are hampering efforts to reduce the risk of flooding.

In the West Bank, UN teams reported ongoing settler-related violence, including assaults, vandalism, arson, and theft, noting that around 12 Palestinians were injured in attacks that lasted three days around Ramallah.

The UN teams added that these attacks at times obstructed the movement of residents and vehicles, including ambulances.

In a related development, the Fishermen's Committees Union, cited by WAFA, said that Israeli naval forces on Tuesday detained 10 fishermen off the coast of Al-Zawaida in central Gaza and Sheikh Ajlin in southwest Gaza City, adding in a statement that they were taken to Ashdod port after their boats were fired upon.