UN spokeswoman: secretary-general condemns strike on Gaza church, urges cease-fire and more aid as displacement mounts

Stephanie Tremblay, associate spokesperson for the United Nations Secretariat, told reporters at a noon briefing that the secretary-general “strongly condemns today’s strike on the Holy Family Church in Gaza, a place of worship and a sanctuary for civilians.” She said attacks on places of worship are unacceptable and renewed the U.N.’s call for an immediate cease-fire and the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.”

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and U.N. partners reported large and continuing population movements inside Gaza, Tremblay said. Between July 8 and July 15 more than 11,500 people were newly displaced, bringing total displacement since the most recent escalation on March 18 to more than 737,000 people — roughly 35% of Gaza’s population, according to the briefing.

The World Health Organization has dispatched 35 trauma and…