The outgoing head of the United Nations agency responsible for Palestinian refugees has urged a high‑level inquiry into the killing of more than 390 of its staff members in Gaza during the ongoing war. Philippe Lazzarini, speaking at a press briefing on his final day in office, said a panel of experts is needed to examine the circumstances surrounding these deaths, many of which occurred amid intense military operations that have marked the war as one of the deadliest for UN personnel in the organisation’s history.

Lazzarini also called for investigations into injuries, detentions, and alleged mistreatment suffered by aid workers, and highlighted the widespread destruction of the agency’s facilities. He criticised what he described as an “extraordinary level of impunity” in the ongoing war, asserting that staff deaths and damage to humanitarian infrastructure must be thoroughly examined by a credible international body.

The appeal for a formal investigation has been raised with the U.N. Secretary‑General’s office and member states, though progress is challenged by the continued hostilities and political complexities. The situation has underscored broader concerns about the protection of humanitarian workers and observance of international norms amid prolonged violence in the region.