UN: Warehouse in Khan Younis Damaged in Israeli Airstrike, No Staff Casualties

UN Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Sherine Yassin announced at the daily press briefing that the organization's humanitarian partners reported that a UN warehouse in Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip was damaged in an Israeli airstrike, stressing that no UN staff members were injured.

Yassin explained that fires broke out in Gaza over the past week following Israeli airstrikes, destroying the tents and belongings of one hundred Palestinian families, noting that humanitarian partners are working to support these families.

Yassin emphasized that Israel continues to restrict humanitarian aid to Gaza, calling for these restrictions to be lifted and for funding to be provided for relief operations. When asked by an Anadolu correspondent whether the UN is pressing Israeli officials on these restrictions and what responses it has received, Yassin noted that "channels are continuously open," but that they cannot achieve full access to Gaza and reach those in need without speaking to all parties.

She added that aid "is entering but it is not enough — we need more," clarifying that all crossings must be open, though they are working with what is available.

Regarding the occupied West Bank, Yassin reported that Israeli forces continue to operate in two neighborhoods in the city of Hebron, where approximately 3,000 Palestinians remain displaced, while forces continue to close access roads, impose severe movement restrictions, and cut Palestinians off from their livelihoods and educational and health services. The spokesperson called for allowing displaced persons to return voluntarily and safely, and for forced displacement and demolitions to cease.

In response to a question from an Anadolu correspondent about attacks on 14 mosques in the West Bank by Israeli settlers this year, Yassin said these acts are "of course unacceptable," stressing that places of worship must be safe and that religious freedom must be protected everywhere.