The article about the Gaza Strip said that Israel "remains the occupying power under international law." The article should have noted that this is a disputed point.
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As U.S. Abstains, U.N. Security Council Calls for Cease-Fire
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Three Israeli soldiers were killed in fighting in Gaza on Thursday, bringing the total since the start of the ground operation to nine. Four Israelis have been killed by rockets since the offensive on Gaza began Dec. 27.
The U.N. decision came after a convoy of its vehicles was fired on Thursday by Israeli forces during a mission to recover the body of a U.N. worker who had been killed in a previous Israeli attack, according to UNRWA spokesman Chris Gunness.
The incident occurred during a three-hour period in which Israel said it would pause its offensive to allow humanitarian supplies to be delivered. It followed the death Thursday morning of a U.N. driver who was shot despite Israeli assurances that it was safe to travel.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack on the U.N. convoy and said that "the inability of the U.N. to provide assistance in this worsening humanitarian crisis is unacceptable."
Gunness said that three U.N. workers had been killed by Israeli fire since Dec. 27 and that aid would not resume until "the Israeli army can guarantee the safety and security of U.N. personnel."
Gunness said that the locations of U.N. facilities and the movements of its workers are communicated to the military and that Israel was being reckless or was targeting aid workers. Earlier this week, 45 Palestinians died after Israeli forces fired on two schools the United Nations had opened to people seeking refuge from the fighting. Israel claims the schools were being used by gunmen, but the United Nations denies that.
Israeli military spokesman Ilan Tal, a reserve brigadier general, said that he was looking into the accusations but added that Israel had not targeted aid workers. Tal said Israel had facilitated aid to Gaza by holding its fire for three hours both Wednesday and Thursday.
"Our intention is to allow for any needed humanitarian aid to come in and to coordinate with all the international organizations," he said.
Tal accused Hamas of targeting humanitarian convoys for attack and then blaming Israel. He also said the group is hoarding food and other supplies.
Gaza residents said basic goods were not getting through.
"There is no food. I went to the market and all I could find were onions and lemons," said Um Adel Abu Nahil, a resident of the Shati refugee camp who ventured from her home during Thursday's pause. "I can't find milk. I can't find diapers. And we have no water. It's awful."
About 500,000 people in Gaza are believed to be without running water, and the sewage system is on the verge of collapse because of a lack of electricity. Even before the war, Gaza had endured a near-total economic blockade for 18 months, which began after Hamas routed forces loyal to the rival Fatah party and seized power in 2007. The previous year, Hamas had won Palestinian legislative elections.
