UN Reports deaths of Two Workers in Israel Strikes on Gaza Amid Heightened Violence
Recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in significant casualties, including two UN workers, amidst the breakdown of a fragile ceasefire.
The United Nations has reported the deaths of two of its workers due to Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, amidst escalating violence that has claimed over 400 lives in the region over the past two days.
According to the UN, the fatalities occurred on Wednesday, with additional workers injured and hospitalized as a result of the strikes.
Israel has denied targeting the United Nations compound in Deir al-Balah during these recent attacks.
The airstrikes constitute a new phase of military operations ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which has effectively terminated the ceasefire that was in place since January.
In the wake of Hamas’s refusal to alter the existing ceasefire agreement, Netanyahu stated that these airstrikes were "only the beginning" of a larger operation aimed at dismantling Hamas and securing the release of hostages held by the group.
Health officials in Gaza reported that the majority of those killed in the recent bombardment were women and children.
The humanitarian situation requires urgent attention, as Prime Minister Netanyahu has declared that all future negotiations concerning a ceasefire with Hamas will occur amidst ongoing military actions.
In light of the situation, UK opposition leader Keir Starmer expressed his "deep concern" regarding the end of the ceasefire.
He described the distressing images of parents transporting injured children to hospitals and emphasized the need for urgent humanitarian aid and the resumption of ceasefire negotiations aimed at securing the release of hostages.
Following these developments, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister emphasized the necessity for all parties, including Israel, to adhere to international humanitarian law.
They reaffirmed the UK’s position that while Israel deserves security, there can be no future role for Hamas in the governance of Gaza.
The spokespeople called for immediate resumption of talks and a complete implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
In recent discussions, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy adjusted his position on Israel's conduct, retracting previous statements which suggested Israel had violated international law by restricting aid to Gaza, acknowledging the need for clearer communication on the matter.