The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has revealed that over 300 of its staff have been killed in Gaza since the beginning of Israel’s military assault. According to Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, most were killed alongside their families, many while carrying out their duties as doctors, teachers, and aid workers.

“These are not just numbers,” Lazzarini said. “They are people who dedicated their lives to supporting their communities, and they were deliberately targeted in their homes and shelters.” His comments reflect growing concerns within the international community about the complete disregard for humanitarian law in Gaza.

Lazzarini also stated that more than 50 UNRWA staff had been detained by Israeli forces, with credible reports of torture and forced use as human shields. The agency, which has operated since 1949, is central to the provision of education, health care, and food aid to millions of Palestinian refugees, particularly in Gaza.

Despite international outrage, Israel—with unwavering support from the United States—continues its relentless campaign, resulting in tens of thousands of civilian casualties, many of them children. As Gaza’s infrastructure collapses and its people are pushed to the brink of survival, Lazzarini’s call for justice is a stark reminder of the impunity that fuels ongoing atrocities.