At least six United Nations staff members were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a school in central Gaza, according to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA). The al-Jaouni school, located in Nuseirat refugee camp, was being used as a shelter for thousands of displaced Palestinians when it was struck, marking the highest death toll among UNRWA staff since the Israel-Hamas war began in October. The Hamas-run health ministry also reported that 14 people were killed in the attack, including civilians.
Israel’s military confirmed the strike, claiming it targeted Hamas operatives planning attacks from within the school. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) emphasized that steps were taken to minimize civilian harm, using precise munitions and intelligence. This marks the fifth time al-Jaouni school has been struck since the war’s inception, with previous strikes attributed to similar military activities.
UNRWA condemned the attack, stressing that schools and civilian infrastructure should not be used for military purposes and must be protected. Gaza’s Hamas-led government called the incident a “brutal massacre.” UNRWA reported that nearly 70% of its schools in Gaza had been affected by the ongoing conflict, with over 214 staff members killed so far.
