An Oxfam worker and her family escaped death after an Israeli rocket hit a house they were sheltering in during the early hours of this morning.

 

Following a night of heavy shelling in Gaza City, the Oxfam worker and her family saw their refuge destroyed at 7:15 this morning, when the house they were sheltering in was hit by an Israeli rocket. A few minutes later, five more rockets hit the neighbouring building. Neighbours went to the rescue and paramedics provided immediate assistance.

 

The Oxfam member of staff had initially left her house two days ago, following repeated phone calls and leaflets from the Israeli army warning of an imminent attack in the area. She relocated her family in a relative’s house, deemed ‘safe’, only to find that there is really nowhere safe to hide in the Gaza Strip. 

 

“We are so confused right now. We are still hearing attacks but we don’t know if the targets are close or far from where we are. We cannot yet make a decision on where to go next with our two children, my family and I cannot think straight” said the aid worker who does not want to be identified.

 

“The prolonged war across the Gaza Strip is decimating the homes and lives of tens of thousands civilians - men, women and children”, says John Prideaux-Brune, Oxfam’s Country Director. “Oxfam demands an immediate end to the violence. The people of Gaza cannot afford one more night of these appalling incidents.”

 

Oxfam urges all parties to reach an immediate and durable ceasefire. The protection of civilians on both sides must be an absolute priority. The level of civilian casualties recorded in Gaza is mounting by the hour. Indiscriminate rocket fire by Palestinian armed groups at Israel is inadmissible.

More from the Oxfam Press Office at http://www.oxfam.org.uk/news