Gaza /PNN / 

The protection of civilians must be upheld at all times, the head of the UN Refugee and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), has said, appealing for an end to Israeli attacks on places such as schools, hospitals and the homes of his staff.

“Let me be clear: protecting civilians in times of conflict is not an aspiration or an ideal; it is an obligation and a commitment to our shared humanity,” UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement.

“Relentless airstrikes and bombardments, coupled with evacuation orders from Israel, have displaced nearly one million people in Gaza,” he said. “Many civilians have been killed and injured.”

“To date, 17 of our colleagues have been confirmed killed in this vicious war. Very sadly, the actual numbers are likely to be higher. Some of our staff were killed with their families while sleeping in their beds at home.”

Lazzarini recalled “the non-negotiable legal obligations” to protect civilians at all times, and to refrain from attacks on civilian facilities “including schools, hospitals, places of worship, and civilians’ homes, including those of UNRWA staff.”

He echoed the UN Secretary-General's call on all parties to reach an urgent humanitarian ceasefire, saying “this is the only way out of this mayhem; any other way will plunge Gaza – and the world – deeper into fathomless, dark depths.”