12 UN refugee agency staff killed in Gaza

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - At least 12 UN staff and personnel have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip following Hamas' attack on Israel, according to the UN.

"UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) has 12 of its personnel have now been killed since October 7," spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

Separately, the agency also wrote on X that it was "devastated to confirm" the deaths.

"We mourn this loss and are grieving with our colleagues and the families. UN staff and civilians must be protected at all times," it wrote.

Dujarric noted that more than 338,000 residents have been displaced -- an increase of 30% over the last 24 hours, and he added that two-thirds of the displaced are taking shelter in schools run by UNRWA.

"The UN Relief and Works Agency says that nearly 218,000 internally displaced people are sheltering in 92 of their schools in all areas of the Gaza Strip," he said. "In Gaza, more than 2500 units have been destroyed, severely damaged and rendered uninhabitable while nearly 23,000 others have sustained moderate to minor damage."

At least 88 educational facilities have been struck, including 18 UNRWA schools, two of which were being used as emergency shelters for displaced people, as well as 70 Palestinian Authority schools, according to Dujarric.