Image Credits - Middle East Monitor
Funerals were held for six United Nations employees who lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike on the al-Jaouni school in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The tragic incident, which occurred on September 11, 2024, has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for accountability.
The airstrike, part of a broader escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, targeted the al-Jaouni school, a facility used as a shelter for displaced civilians. The six UN workers, who were part of an international team providing humanitarian aid, were killed instantly. Their names have not yet been officially released pending family notifications.
The funerals, attended by grieving family members, colleagues, and localents, were marked by a profound sense of loss and anger. Mourners carried placards demanding justice and accountability for the attack, which they describe as a violation of international law and a severe blow to humanitarian efforts in the region.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement expressing deep sorrow and emphasizing the need to protect humanitarian workers operating in conflict zones. Guterres said this tragedy highlights the critical importance of ensuring the safety of those who are working to alleviate suffering in the most difficult circumstances.
The Israeli government has yet to respond officially to the condemnation but has previously stated that military actions are targeted at militant groups and aim to minimize civilian casualties. However, the repeated strikes on civilian infrastructure raise questions about adherence to international humanitarian standards.
As the funerals concluded, the international community continued to call for a de-escalation of violence and a renewed focus on diplomatic solutions to the ongoing conflict, emphasizing the need to protect innocent lives and ensure that humanitarian workers can operate safely in conflict zones.