Civilians continue to bear brunt of Gaza conflict: UN envoy

​​​​​​​By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) – The UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process voiced concern Saturday about an Israeli attack on a school sheltering displaced Palestinians in the central Gaza Strip.

“Every day civilians continue to bear the brunt of this conflict amidst horror, displacement and endless suffering.

"The cost in lives of this war is evident with every passing day as we have witnessed yet another devastating strike on a school sheltering thousands of displaced Palestinians, with dozens of fatalities," Tor Wennesland said in a statement.

His comments came after at least 100 victims were killed and many were injured as Israeli aircraft targeted Palestinians performing fajr (dawn) prayers at the Al-Taba'een School in the Al-Daraj neighborhood of eastern Gaza City.

Wennesland said he is encouraged by the perseverance of the leaders of the US, Egypt and Qatar as mediators and their call on both sides to conclude a cease-fire and hostages release deal in the besieged enclave.

Stressing that the UN is committed to supporting all efforts toward that goal, he added: "An end to this nightmare is long overdue."

Despite appeals Thursday from mediators, including Egypt, the US and Qatar, to stop hostilities, reach a cease-fire and a hostage exchange agreement, Israel persists with its deadly offensive on Gaza.

The Israeli onslaught against the Gaza Strip has killed nearly 39,800 victims since October following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas.