Israelis knew GPS co-ordinates of all UN installations in Gaza including UNRWA school: OCHA

New York, Jan 8, 2009 (WAM) - UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory Maxwell Gaylard today stressed that the United Nations "had given to the Israeli authorities the GPS co-ordinates of all its installations in Gaza, including the UNRWA school which was struck" last night by Israeli shells killing three members of the same Palestinian family night whilst taking shelter in an UNRWA school designated as a temporary refuge from the violence.

Another entire family of five children and their parents were killed when the Israeli army shelled their home, Gylard added.

"These deaths highlight the tragic reality of the situation in Gaza that for civilians, neither homes nor UN shelters are safe", the UN humanitarian official remarked.

"Nearly one and a half million civilians are dangerously exposed to the fighting around them. There are no safe places to flee. We call on all parties to uphold international humanitarian law and protect civilians." According to Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 500 people have been killed and more than 2400 injured in just ten days. As one of the most densely populated places in the world, it is clear that more civilians will be killed; more homes, buildings and civilian infrastructure will be destroyed, if the conflict continues.

These tragic incidents, Gayland said, need to be investigated, and if international humanitarian law has been contravened, those responsible must held accountable.

Gayland reiterated the Secretary General's call for an immediate cessation to this violence.

" Human beings have the right to life, liberty, and security no matter who they are and where they live."