Secretary General outraged at shelling of UN building in Gaza New York, 15 January 2009

The U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon says he has expressed "strong protest and outrage" to Israel over the shelling of a United Nations compound in Gaza City.

“I conveyed my strong protest and outrage to the defense minister and the foreign minister and demanded a full explanation," Ban said, adding that he had demanded an investigation into the shelling.

"The defense minister said to me it was a grave mistake and he took it very seriously. He assured me that extra attention will be paid to U.N. facilities and staff and this will not be repeated."

Israeli shells damaged the international organization's headquarters in Gaza City, according to witnesses and U.N. officials. U.N. spokesman Chris Gunness says at least three people were wounded.

UNRWA’s warehouses burning in Gaza

UNRWA’s warehouses, containing thousands of tones of humanitarian aid,  go up in flames following Israeli shelling