UN chief slams deadly Israeli airstrike on ‘safe zone’ in besieged Gaza

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Tuesday “strongly” condemned a deadly Israeli airstrike on a declared “humanitarian safe zone” in the southern Gaza, as he voiced his alarm over the worsening situation.

“I can tell you that the Secretary-General (Guterres) is deeply alarmed by the continued loss of life in Gaza. He strongly condemns today’s Israeli airstrike in an Israeli designated zone for displaced persons in Khan Younis,” his Spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters at the regular noon briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.

“The use of heavy weapons in densely populated areas is unconscionable,” he said.

Pointing out that the Palestinians were displaced from the area, “in search of safety”, Dujarric reiterated the UN chief’s demand for an immediate cease-fire and the release of all hostages in Gaza.

At least 40 people were killed and dozens injured in the airstrike early Tuesday on a tent camp in Khan Younis in the al-Mawasi area, which Israel designated as a “humanitarian safe zone” for displaced civilians in Gaza.

Gaza’s Civil Defence Service said Israeli missiles set refugee tents ablaze and caused craters as deep as 30 feet.

Israel has continued a brutal offensive on Gaza since October 7, despite the UN Security Council resolutions demanding an immediate cease-fire.

More than 41,000 people, mostly women and children, have since been killed and nearly 95,000 injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

An ongoing blockade of the enclave has led to severe shortages of food, clean water and medicine, leaving much of the region in ruins.

Israel faces accusations of genocide for its aggressive acts in Gaza at the International Court of Justice.