UNRWA says 133 of its employees killed in Gaza, many with their families

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has announced that 133 of its employees have been killed in the Israel's ferocious and indiscriminate attack on the Gaza Strip.

UNRWA added that most of its employees who lost their lives in Israel's attacks were killed alongside their families.

The agency said that "Our employees in Gaza take their children to work to ensure their safety, or they might die together," in a statement  on X.

Our staff in #Gaza take their children to work so they know they are safe, or can die together.

133 @UNRWA colleagues have been confirmed killed in bombardments, most with their families.

The situation of civilians in #Gaza is untenable, we are reaching a point of no return. pic.twitter.com/IIu5nAcSrB

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) December 9, 2023

UNRWA stressed previously the situation in Gaza is reaching "a point of no return", and condemned "the blatant disregard for international humanitarian law," saying that it "scars our collective conscience."

"I do believe there is a deliberate attempt to strangle our operation and paralyse the operation," UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini previously told journalists in Geneva.

Thomas White, the Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza, said that this war has inflicted "shocking living conditions" on the Gaza population in a post on X.

Yesterday listening to people in an @UNRWA shelter in Deir al Balah- stories of grief and loss - shocking living conditions - yet an indefatigable will to survive and look after their loved ones - very humbling. #Gaza pic.twitter.com/Fxfuxzfjij

— Thomas White (@TomWhiteGaza) December 10, 2023

The death toll of victims of the Israeli war on Gaza has exceeded 18,000 people, mostly women and children. More than 48,000 are injured with deadly wounds. 

UNRWA was set up in 1949 to provide relief and assistance to Palestinians who were made refugees when Israel was established, in an event known as the Nakba.