Gaza hospital and UN headquarters hit by Israeli forces

Hospital has 500 patients. Ban Ki-moon slams Israel’s actions. Ehud Barak apologises for “grave mistake.” Death toll tops a thousand.

Gaza (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Gaza’s Al-Quds Hospital was engulfed in flames after being hit by fire during fighting between Israeli troops and Hamas forces. The hospital has about 500 patients but it is not known if any were killed or wounded. This morning the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) was bombed by the Israeli air force. The two serious incidents come on the 20th day of Israel’s offensive into the Gaza Strip to stop missile rockets by Hamas against southern Israeli towns.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned Israel’s attack on the UN building, strongly protesting against Israel’ government.

Some 700 people are in the compound, and cannot be evacuated under the bombardment. At least three people were wounded.

Secretary Ban is currently in Jerusalem where he met the Israeli foreign minister to see if an immediate ceasefire was possible so that more humanitarian aid could be allowed in.

Defence Minister Ehud Barak apologised to the United Nations for what he said was a “grave mistake.”

Israel is intensifying its attacks to get Hamas to accept a truce.

Overnight Israeli planes struck at least 70 targets.

This morning thousands of Palestinians fled their homes as Israeli forces tried to enter the city.

At least 15 Palestinians were killed.

The Palestinian death toll now stands at 1,055 and according to the Palestinian Center for Human rights, more than 670 of them are civilians.