The UN Palestinian refugee agency, UNRWA, reported that six of its staff members were killed when two airstrikes struck a school in central Gaza on Wednesday. This incident marks the highest number of staff fatalities in a single attack, according to the agency.
“Among the victims were the manager of the UNRWA shelter and other team members assisting displaced people,” UNRWA stated on X.
The agency added that the school, sheltering around 12,000 displaced individuals—mostly women and children—has been hit five times since the conflict started.
The Gaza government’s media office reported that the Israeli strike claimed at least 18 lives, including the UNRWA staff members.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian resistance group Hamas has expressed its willingness to implement an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, based on a plan proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden in May.
In a statement following a meeting in Doha between Hamas’ negotiating team, led by Khalil al-Hayya, Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, and Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel, the group reaffirmed its rejection of any “new conditions” being added to the agreement.
Biden’s plan, which he presented as a proposal from Israel, involves a three-phase process to end hostilities in Gaza. The proposal includes a ceasefire, a hostage-prisoner exchange, and the reconstruction of Gaza.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has since introduced new conditions and continues military operations in Gaza.
