AMMAN
Last night, a building housing the UNRWA headquarters in Gaza City sustained significant damage as a result of airstrikes nearby. All UN international staff present in Gaza are taking shelter in another building within the same compound.
UNRWA did not record any casualties among its staff during this incident, however two UNRWA staff members and five UNRWA students have been killed since 7 October.
According to initial reports, offices and UNRWA assets were damaged. United Nations buildings and facilities must be protected at all times, including in times of conflict.
Since October 7, UNRWA recorded both collateral and direct damage to at least 18 of its facilities including schools sheltering displaced civilians.
As of today, the UN estimates that over 187,500 people have been displaced within Gaza, and more than 137,000 people are sheltering in over 80 UNRWA schools across the Gaza Strip.
Document Sources: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Subject: Armed conflict, Assistance, Casualties, Gaza Strip, Human rights and international humanitarian law, Humanitarian relief, Security issues, Shelter, Violence
Publication Date: 10/10/2023
URL source: https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/gaza-strip-unrwa-headquarters-compound-sustains-damage-due-ongoing-airstrikes