Israeli Terrorist attack UN School in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip

Palestinian civilians and medics run to safety during an Israeli strike over a UN school in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, on Satuday 17 January.

John Ging (5th R), head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) operations in Gaza, visits a U.N.-run school in the northern Gaza Strip January 17, 2009. Israeli tank fire killed two boys at a U.N.-run school in the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday, a U.N. official said.Pictures by REUTERS

Jan 17, 2009

A United Nations official has condemned an Israeli shelling attack that struck a UN school in the northern Gaza Strip and killed two people.

Spokesman Chris Gunness said the school was crowded with 1,600 people who had sought shelter from Israel’s three-week offensive in Gaza.

Israel shells UN building in Gaza

The head of the UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) in Gaza, John Ging, points to the UN warehouse in Gaza City after it was hit by Israeli strikes on January 15, 2009. The UN on Thursday suspended some of its operations in Gaza after Israeli shells smashed into its compound, setting fire to warehouses of badly-needed aid and prompting outrage from UN chief Ban Ki-moon as he arrived in Israel.
by AFP/Getty Images

A firman fights a fire at the UN warehouse in Gaza City after it was hit by Israeli strikes on January 15, 2009. The UN on Thursday suspended some of its operations in Gaza after Israeli shells smashed into its compound, setting fire to warehouses of badly-needed aid and prompting outrage from UN chief Ban Ki-moon as he arrived in Israel.
by AFP/Getty Images

The UN headquarters in Gaza has been set ablaze during some of the heaviest attacks in the 20-day-old Israeli offensive.

The United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) building was being used as a shelter by up to 700 civilians fleeing the bombardment of the Palestinian enclave when it was struck.

Spokesman Chris Gunness said: “Our compound in Gaza has now received three hits, reportedly of white phosphorus. Buildings in the compound are on fire, there are loaded fuel tankers nearby. Three people have been injured.