GAZA CITY,
An UNRWA school sheltering displaced families in the Gaza Strip was directly hit today. The school, sheltering more than 225 people, was severely damaged. No casualties were recorded among the displaced.
Meanwhile, the number of people forced to flee their homes in search of safety has significantly increased overnight. Nearly 74,000 displaced people are now in 64 UNRWA shelters, with numbers likely to increase as heavy shelling and airstrikes continue including on civilian areas.
UNRWA teams are providing families with shelter and clean water. Supplies are being prepared to deliver to families, including food, hygiene kits and cleaning supplies.
Civilians must be protected at all times, including during fighting. UNRWA supports calls to reach an immediate ceasefire and a halt to the violence everywhere.
Schools and other civilian infrastructure, including those sheltering displaced families, must never come under attack.
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**Notes to the Editors **
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The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported 370 killed, including at least 20 children, and 2,200 injuries since 7 October. Three students at UNRWA schools in Khan Younis and Beit Hanoun, all boys, are confirmed to be among the casualties.
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According to Israeli sources, at least 650 people have been killed in Israel.
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Across the Gaza Strip, UNRWA provides services to 1.4 million Palestine Refugees, including food aid to nearly 1.2 million.
