A U.N. report on Wednesday said that, as of Tuesday, an estimated 710 housing units in the Gaza Strip had been totally destroyed by an ongoing Israeli air offensive against the Palestinian enclave, now in its second week.
Another 660 housing units were severely damaged in the Israeli raids, the report – prepared by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) – found.
At least 79 schools and 23 health facilities in Gaza had also sustained damage as a result of Israel's onslaught, the report also found.
The report went on to note that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and World Food Program (WFP) were both providing food, shelter and other assistance to over 18,000 displaced Palestinians from northern Gaza who are currently taking refuge in UNRWA schools.
The report asserted that at least 38 children had been among the victims of Israeli raids.
Palestinian health officials have put the total death toll at 209 since Israel's offensive began early last week.
Israeli warplanes have been pounding the besieged Gaza Strip since July 7 with the stated aim of halting rocket fire from Gaza.
Gaza-based resistance factions, meanwhile, have continued to fire rockets at Israel – some of which have reached Tel Aviv – in response.
Since the hostilities began, one Israeli has been killed as a result of rocket fire from Gaza.
The ongoing military operation, dubbed "Operation Protective Edge," is Israel's third major offensive against the blockaded Gaza Strip – home to some 1.8 million Palestinians – within the last six years.
By Anees Barghouthy
englishnews@aa.com.tr
www.aa.com.tr/en
