The U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, confirmed on Wednesday that nine of its staff members have lost their lives in the recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
These casualties occurred between Saturday, when Israel commenced bombardments of the area, and Tuesday.
Juliette Touma, the director of communications for UNRWA, expressed her grief over the losses, stating to The Associated Press (AP), “The protection of civilians is paramount, including in times of conflict.”
She emphasized that civilians “should be protected in accordance with the laws of war.”
This current wave of violence was triggered after Hamas, the Palestinian militant organization, launched an unexpected attack on Israel.
The assault involved a multitude of rocket strikes and infiltrations, leading to extensive devastation in several border villages.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proclaimed a state of war and ensured that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) would retaliate robustly.
This retaliatory measure saw numerous neighborhoods in Gaza being severely damaged due to intensified airstrikes from the IDF.
Details shared by Touma revealed that these U.N. staff members tragically lost their lives in their own homes scattered across the Gaza Strip.
Furthermore, she highlighted the substantial damage inflicted on the UNRWA’s main office in Gaza City and multiple educational institutions that had been transformed into refuge shelters, AP notes.
In a concerning development, the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, which also covers East Jerusalem and Israel, brought forth evidence that suggests potential war crimes committed by both conflicting parties.
In their official statement, the Commission said, “There is already clear evidence that war crimes may have been committed in the latest explosion of violence in Israel and Gaza, and all those who have violated international law and targeted civilians must be held accountable for their crimes, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel, said today.”
The international body explained it has been “collecting and preserving evidence of war crimes committed by all sides since 7 October 2023, when Hamas launched a complex attack on Israel and Israeli forces responded with airstrikes in Gaza.”
