UN Reports Israeli Airstrike Resulted in the Death of Six of Its Staff Members in Gaza

The United Nations agency tasked with aiding Palestinian refugees reported that six of its staff members were tragically killed during an Israeli air strike targeting a school in central Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp, known as al-Jaouni school. This facility had been repurposed as a shelter for numerous displaced Palestinians. According to Gaza’s Civil Defence spokesperson, Mahmud Bassal, the strike resulted in the deaths of 18 individuals.

In response, Israel’s military stated that the operation was a “precise strike” aimed at terrorists who were allegedly using the school premises to plan attacks. They also claimed to have implemented measures to minimize civilian casualties.

However, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, commenting on the incident via X, described the strike as a stark violation of international humanitarian law, highlighting the severe implications of such actions on civilian safety and infrastructure meant for refuge and education.

UNRWA has reported an incident marking the highest death toll among its staff in a single event since the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated in October 2023. This tragic event occurred at a school in Gaza, which had been previously struck four times in the past 11 months. The school, serving as a shelter for approximately 12,000 displaced individuals, mainly women and children, was hit again, resulting in the death of six UNRWA staff members. This incident underscores the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where even designated safe zones like UN facilities are not spared from the violence.

The Israeli military has claimed that its strikes are targeted at Hamas operatives, asserting that on one occasion in July, they hit structures within the school compound used by Hamas fighters. However, Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries including Israel and the UK, denies using civilian areas, including schools, for military activities.

Israel’s response to these criticisms, particularly from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, has been defensive. Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, criticized Guterres for what he perceives as a bias against Israel, defending the military actions as necessary in combating terrorism.

This conflict, sparked by Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, which led to significant casualties and hostage-taking in Israel, has resulted in a devastating toll in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, over 41,080 people have been killed since the onset of the conflict. The UN has consistently condemned strikes targeting civilians and those hitting UN facilities, highlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for a ceasefire to protect civilian lives and infrastructure.