Wed Sep 11 23:21:46 UTC 2024: ## Israel Strikes UN School in Gaza, Killing 18 Including Six UNRWA Staff
**Gaza City, September 11, 2024** – A pair of Israeli airstrikes targeting a United Nations school in the Nuseirat Refugee Camp in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people, including six UNRWA staff members. The agency said this is the highest death toll among its staff in a single incident since the current conflict began in October 2023.
The school, which has been struck five times since the war began, was sheltering approximately 12,000 displaced Palestinians, mainly women and children. Among the victims were women and children.
The UN has condemned the attack, stating that the school had been previously deconflicted with Israeli forces. UNRWA stressed that “No one is safe in Gaza. No one is spared,” and that schools and other civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the attacks “dramatic violations of international humanitarian law” and demanded they stop immediately. Israel is currently facing a genocide trial at the International Court of Justice, and the International Criminal Court is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.
The current conflict, which has lasted over 341 days, has left over 145,000 Palestinians dead, maimed, or missing. Nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million people have been forcibly displaced. The Israeli siege of Gaza has resulted in widespread hunger and sickness, with dozens of Palestinians dying from malnutrition, dehydration, and lack of medical care.
This latest attack comes as UNRWA faces increasing pressure from Israel, which has accused some of the agency’s staff of involvement in the Hamas attack on Israel last October. While many countries initially cut off funding to UNRWA following these claims, most have since restored funding as Israeli claims have been debunked. However, US President Joe Biden signed a bill in March prohibiting American funding for UNRWA.
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