The United Nations has reported that six employees of UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) have been killed in Gaza within a 24-hour period, bringing the total number of UNRWA staff casualties since October 7 to 35.
According to a statement by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the global tally of UNRWA personnel killed reached this grim figure.
In a post on the ‘X’ platform, the office expressed its deep sorrow over these losses, noting that words fall short in conveying the magnitude of the tragedy.
UNRWA, in response to these tragic events, emphasized that these 35 individuals were not mere statistics but friends and colleagues. Many of them had served as teachers in their schools. UNRWA grieves this profound loss.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commented on the situation, stating, “35 of our colleagues from UNRWA, relief workers and teachers, have been killed in Gaza since October 7. We mourn their loss and stand by our colleagues who are doing everything they can to assist those in need.”
In its daily report on the situation in Gaza, OCHA highlighted the challenges faced by humanitarian agencies in delivering aid to the Gaza population. These difficulties include ongoing hostilities, restrictions on movement, shortages of electricity, fuel, water, medicine, and other essential supplies.
