UN describes ‘immense’ damage in Gaza

The UN aid agency for Palestinians describes the damage wrought by Israel’s air offensive on Gaza as “immense,” with more than 500 homes razed.

“The level of human losses and destruction in Gaza is really immense,” says UNWRA spokesman Sami Mshasha.

“According to our latest figure, we are talking about 174 killed and well over 1,100 injured. This number will increase. The numbers are increasing by hours,” he tells reporters.

“A good number of those killed and injured are women and children. That is a cause of concern for UNRWA,” he adds.

The death toll on Tuesday had risen to 192, according to local officials in Gaza.

Mshasha says that 560 homes had been totally destroyed, while thousands of buildings had suffered damage.

Mshasha says that 47 UNRWA facilities had also been damaged by bombing.

— AFP