MANILA, Philippines -- United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has condemned the Israeli strikes on schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Gaza that killed dozens of people, and repeated his call for a ceasefire in the territory."These attacks by Israeli military forces which endanger UN facilities acting as places of refuge are totally unacceptable and must not be repeated. Equally unacceptable are any actions by militants which endanger the Palestinian civilian population," Ban said in a statement released by the UN office in Manila. "Today's events underscore the dangers inherent in the continuation and escalation of this conflict. I call once again for an immediate ceasefire," he said. Ban said the locations of all UN facilities, including the three schools, are known to Israeli authorities, including the Israeli army. He said one air strike on a neighboring building injured seven UN staffers, three seriously, and three patients in an UNRWA health center. "After earlier strikes, the Israeli government was warned that its operations were endangering UN compounds. I am deeply dismayed that despite these repeated efforts, today's tragedies have ensued," he said. Ban said 20 schools, including the three UNRWA schools, have been serving as temporary shelter for 15,000 civilians whose homes have been destroyed or who are fleeing the violence. "They are seeking sanctuary in UNRWA schools because they have no other place to go and are not able to flee the Gaza Strip," he said. | 
