DaysofPal- The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said Friday that Israeli forces have killed more than 370 UNRWA staff members in Gaza since the start of the Israeli war in October 2023.
Speaking at a press briefing, Lazzarini warned that the real number could be higher, citing the difficulty of gathering real-time information due to the ongoing hostilities and mass displacement of civilians between northern and southern Gaza.
“In total, the agency has lost 410 staff members either killed or detained during the war,” he said, stressing that despite the devastating toll, UNRWA remains committed to carrying out its mandate until a just solution is reached for Palestinian refugees.
On Thursday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres renewed his call for urgent international support for UNRWA, highlighting the increasingly dire conditions under which the agency is operating.
“Generations of Palestinian refugees have relied on UNRWA for education, healthcare, and essential services,” Guterres said, describing the agency’s contributions to human development, human rights, and peace.
He emphasized that UNRWA has been forced to work under severe and mounting pressure, and urged member states to take immediate steps to ensure its survival.
The killings of UNRWA staff add to the humanitarian crisis gripping Gaza, where the agency continues to provide aid to millions of displaced and vulnerable civilians despite relentless attacks and dwindling resources.
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