182 UNRWA employees killed in Gaza

Some 182 UNRWA staff members have been killed during Israel’s bombing campaign in Gaza, Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of the UN agency said yesterday.

Lazzarini said that more than 160 UNRWA premises were damaged or destroyed, noting that “Most of these premises were sheltering displaced people – more than 400 people have been killed in these premises.”

📍#Gaza there have been over 360 attacks on @UNRWA premises since the beginning of the war.

It is critical our water well in Khan Younis is restored to provide urgent water for people here – but it will take a long time for @UNRWA & @UNMAS to clear explosive remnants of war. pic.twitter.com/hNTMx3rsJi

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) April 30, 2024

He added that growing concerns remain about a potential military attack on Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, with fears of evacuations if no agreement is reached this week.

“People have not yet been asked to evacuate from Rafah,” he wrote. “But there is a sense that if there is not a ceasefire deal this week, it could happen at any time.”

The UN agency chief emphasised that aid convoys in Gaza are facing difficulties, and there is worry about Gaza residents detained in Israel.

READ: Trucks bringing bodies and detainees into Gaza hold up aid, says UNRWA