Six UN staff killed in Gaza school strike; Lebanon violations mount
Six UN staff and civilians were killed in an Israeli strike on a Gaza school sheltering displaced families, UNRWA reported, as humanitarian needs escalate amid ongoing conflict.
Israeli airstrikes on a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza killed six UN workers and civilians, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The attack occurred as the agency reported at least 220 of its staff have been killed in Gaza since the Hamas-Israel war began in October 2023. UNRWA Acting Commissioner-General Christian Saunders condemned the disregard for humanitarian staff and operations, warning that impunity undermines international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.
Since the fragile 10 October 2023 ceasefire agreement, local authorities in Gaza have reported 1,334 deaths and 4,429 injuries, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Military operations, including airstrikes, shelling, gunfire and naval fire, continued across Gaza over the weekend, particularly west of the so-called 'yellow line' established by Israel at the start of the ceasefire. Israeli attacks have repeatedly struck populated areas, causing casualties, property damage and further displacement, OCHA’s latest update states.
Currently, nine in 10 people in Gaza are internally displaced, with many repeatedly forced from their homes. Overcrowding, inadequate shelter and limited access to safe water and sanitation are increasing the risk of disease outbreaks, including respiratory infections, acute watery diarrhoea and acute jaundice syndrome, OCHA reported. Winter preparedness efforts at displacement sites are severely constrained by funding shortages and restrictions on essential materials, while Israeli denials of engine oil and spare parts threaten critical water, sanitation and health services.
UN peacekeepers in Lebanon observed extensive Israeli military activity, including drone drops of explosive-filled jerrycans near Al Mansuri, with at least nine explosions recorded on one day. UNIFIL also logged 32 airstrikes, numerous airspace violations and daily Israeli patrol boat activity in Lebanese waters. Peacekeepers reported restricted freedom of movement, including a two-hour detention of a UNIFIL patrol by Israeli personnel, despite ongoing humanitarian support missions coordinated with OCHA.