New York, Aug. 4 (SANA)The United Nations renewed its call on Tuesday for the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in theGaza Strip, saying continued Israeli airstrikes and shelling over the past two days have killed dozens of people, including children.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said international humanitarian law requires the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and prohibits attacks against them, according to the U.N. News Centre.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, U.N. Deputy SpokespersonFarhan Haqcited figures from thePalestinian Health Ministry, saying more than 150 people, including children, were killed during July, marking the highest monthly death toll recorded since the beginning of the year.

Haq said most of the strikes were concentrated in central Gaza, an area covering less than half of the enclave, where the majority of its 2.1 million residents are currently sheltering.

He also said Israeli shelling struck the area surrounding Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir al-Balah, damaging a medical storage facility and part of the hospital building.

“Healthcare facilities must not be attacked or militarized,” Haq said.

Separately, U.N. humanitarian partners warned that funding shortages continue to affect supplies of essential medicines, including insulin for people with diabetes and drugs used to treat heart disease.

According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, theIsraeli waron Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, has killed 73,375 people and injured 174,220 others, while causing widespread destruction to homes and civilian infrastructure amid shortages of medical and humanitarian supplies resulting from restrictions on aid entering the enclave.