Israeli strike on Gaza school is 'appalling', says Lammy

The deaths of six UN workers in an Israeli strike on a school in Gaza has been described as appalling” by David Lammy, the UK foreign secretary.

- ALISHA RAHAMAN SARKAR

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) said its employees were killed in the strike in central Gaza. The UN school, housing about 12,000 displaced people, mostly women and children, has been attacked at least five times since Israel launched an air and ground offensive in Gaza last October, Unrwa said.

“Reports of six Unrwa staff members being killed in an Israeli strike are appalling,” Mr Lammy said. “My thoughts are with their families and all those who continue to carry out lifesaving work. Aid workers must be able to do their jobs safely.”

Simon Harris, the prime minister of Ireland, said: “We must ensure accountability for those who perpetrate war crimes. I look forward to extending my condolences in person to UN secretary general [Antonio] Guterres when I visit the UN later this month. I again call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and unimpeded access to aid in Gaza.”