GAZA CITY: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) for Palestinian refugees confirmed on Wednesday that nine of its staff members have tragically lost their lives due to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza since Saturday. The UN agency revealed that these staff members were killed in their homes across different areas of the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the need for the protection of civilians during times of conflict.
Juliette Touma, UNRWA’s director of communications, emphasized the significance of safeguarding civilians according to the laws of war. The attacks occurred as part of an intense Israeli offensive. By Wednesday, extensive airstrikes had resulted in the demolition of several neighborhoods in the Gaza Strip, leaving behind scenes of destruction.
Nine UN staffers working with @UNRWA have been killed in airstrikes in the Gaza Strip since Saturday.
Humanitarians and civilians are #NotATarget pic.twitter.com/i7DbRjBX0C
— United Nations (@UN) October 11, 2023
Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza
Touma also noted that UNRWA’s headquarters in Gaza City and numerous schools-turned-shelters were damaged in the attacks. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, expressed grave concerns about potential war crimes committed by Israel in Palestine.
In a statement on Tuesday, President Biden reiterated his support for Israel. The White House confirmed that over a dozen American citizens have lost their lives in the ongoing fighting, emphasizing the urgent need for a resolution to the escalating conflict.
