'Shelled UN building used by Hamas'

Gunshots and an anti-tank missile were fired at IDF troops near the UN compound that was attacked by the IDF on Thursday, senior defense officials told The Jerusalem Post.According to the officials, the IDF responded by firing artillery shells at the location of the gunmen, causing damage to the UN installations. At least three people were wounded in the attack and the building was set on fire.The IDF's Gaza Coordination and Liaison Administration coordinated the arrival of five fire trucks to the compound to help put out the flames.UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who was in Israel on Thursday to promote a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, expressed "strong protest and outrage" at the reported shelling of the UN compound.Ban also demanded an investigation into the shelling, and said Defense Minister Ehud Barak had told him it was a "grave mistake."Palestinians reported that an IDF tank shell also struck one of the wings of the Gaza Al-Quds Hospital midday Thursday. Witnesses said part of the structure was on fire. The army said that the building was being used by Hamas men who were firing on IDF troops.The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the damage caused to the Al Quds hospital was "completely and utterly unacceptable based on every known standard of international humanitarian law."The Geneva-based group said the second floor of the hospital took a direct hit that caused fires in the pharmacy and severe damage in many parts of the building.Its sister organization, the International Committe of the Red Cross, also issued a statement Thursday saying the shelling put the lives of patients and medical staff at risk.Officials contacted at the Israeli mission in Geneva late Thursday could not immediately comment on the issue.In total, IAF aircraft struck some 35 targets in the Strip throughout the morning, including armed cells and rocket launch positions.IDF troops also opened fire at two UN vehicles in the Strip on Thursday. One of the cars had no markings identifying it as belonging to the organization.The other was marked as a UN car, but gunshots were fired from it at IDF troops, who returned fire.
Elana Kirsh and JPost.com staff contributed to this report.
By YAAKOV KATZ AND AP
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