UN calls for full probe into Gaza school shelling

Hours after the Israeli army releases the results of the investigation that shows a single IDF shell struck a school in Gaza but did not lead to 16 deaths last week, the UN calls for a full inquiry into the incident.

“It is important in a case like this, where a UN school in which hundreds of people took refuge is hit in this way, that there should be full transparency and accountability,” say Chris Gunness, a spokesman for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.

He notes that when the UN agency attempted to conduct its own investigation, “the mission was aborted after a firing incident at the school.” Gunness does not say who he believed was responsible for that fire.

He says the school had been clearly marked as a UN shelter, and that the Israeli military was aware of its location. On Thursday, the UN made numerous phone calls to the army to request a pause for the evacuation of civilians, he adds, but the request was not granted.

Gazan officials say 16 people were killed at the Beit Hanoun school Thursday, but the Israeli army says it does not know how they died.

IDF spokesman Peter Lerner says the shell struck an empty courtyard.