Nine UN personnel have been killed in airstrikes on Gaza since the commencement of the bombardment on Saturday, as reported by a UN agency on Wednesday.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) issued a statement confirming the casualties: ‘Nine UNRWA employees, comprising six staff members and three contractors, were killed, while three teachers sustained injuries.’

The statement further noted that all UNRWA schools in the Gaza Strip, including the Rehabilitation Centre for the Visually Impaired and two vocational centers in Gaza and Khan Younis, remain closed. ‘Two UNRWA schools have been directly impacted by airstrikes, raising the total number of facilities affected by the conflict to 20 since October 7,’ the agency added.

In a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Israeli forces launched a sustained and powerful military campaign against the Gaza Strip in response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas within Israeli territories.

The conflict was initiated by Hamas with Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multifaceted surprise attack involving a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea, and air. Hamas cited this action as retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and the escalating violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

In response, the Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip. Israel’s actions have also included cutting off water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further exacerbating the dire living conditions in an area that has endured a crippling siege since 2007.

The ongoing violence has resulted in over 1,900 casualties, including at least 900 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis, according to official reports.”

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