UN agency says 9 of its staff members killed in Gaza airstrikes since Oct. 7

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Nine UN employees have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since the start of a bombardment Saturday, a UN agency said Wednesday.

"Nine UNRWA personnel (six staff and three contractors) were killed, while three teachers were injured," the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said in a statement.

It said all UNRWA schools across the Gaza Strip, including the Rehabilitation Centre for Visually Impaired and the two vocational centers in Gaza and Khan Younis, remain closed.

"Two UNRWA schools were affected by airstrikes, bringing the total number of installations affected by the conflict to 20 since 7 October," it added.

In a dramatic escalation of Mideast tensions, Israeli forces launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip in response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air. Hamas said it was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets within the Gaza Strip in response. Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

More than 1,900 people have been killed in the violence, including at least 900 Palestinians and 1,000 Israelis, according to authorities.