LIVE UPDATES: UNRWA Facilities Face Unprecedented Attacks Amid Gaza War

Doha, Qatar: UNRWA facilities have faced unprecedented attacks, with a recent strike on a school killing 35 to 45 people. The International Rescue Committee warns that famine is likely underway in northern Gaza, stressing the need for unimpeded humanitarian access. Meanwhile, New Zealand commits $1 million to UNRWA after UN assurances of neutrality. Gaza's Health Ministry reports a rising death toll of 36,731 since October 7, with 77 killed in the past 24 hours.

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[5:16pm Doha Time] Qatar strongly condemns Israeli Occupation's bombing UNRWA school in Gaza

The State of Qatar strongly condemned the Israeli occupations bombing of a school affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), housing displaced persons in the Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip, which led to the death and injury of dozens, including children and women. Full article here

[4:40pm Doha Time] 'Horrific massacre': Qatar strongly condemns Israeli attack on Gaza school

The Foreign Ministry of the Gulf country has said the deadly Israeli attack on the UNRWA-run school housing displaced people in Gaza's Nuseirat camp was“a horrific massacre” and“a brutal crime” against defenceseless civilians that violated international law.

In its statement, the ministry also renewed Qatar's demand for an independent investigation into Israeli attacks“continued targeting of schools and shelters for displaced persons” and urged the international community to prevent Israel from forcibly displacing Palestinians from Gaza.

[4:20pm Doha Time] 'Attacks on UN facilities 'emblematic' of the war on Gaza, says UNRWA

A man holds melted plastic toys as he inspects damage inside a storage container that was hit by Israeli bombardment at the Asma school run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), in the Shati camp west of gaza City on June 7, 2024. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)

Sam Rose, UNRWA director of planning, says the attack on Nuseirat on Thursday occurred on“protected premises under international law”.

“It's critical that all parties to the conflict respect the humanitarian character of our premises. It's not the first time [Israel targeted an UNRWA facility but] we hope and we pray it'll be the last but the way this war is going we fear that it won't be,” Rose told Al Jazeera.

Rose added that the organisation are witnessing“unprecedented” levels of attacks on“UN-protected premises”.

“I think this is just emblematic of the unprecedented nature and scale and horror of this conflict. We've seen similar incidents in conflicts in the past, but, they've been terrible, they've been tragic, and they've led to civilian casualties, but not on this scale”.

[4:00pm Doha Time] IRC 'concerned' by new report finding famine 'underway' in northern Gaza

Palestinian men take part in Friday noon prayers under the shade or tarpaulin in the Jabalia refugee camp, in the northern gaza Strip on June 7, 2024. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) says it is“deeply concerned” by a report by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network which indicates that famine is“likely underway” in northern Gaza.

“The fact that the conflict and humanitarian access constraints have impeded collection of the data required for an official classification is emblematic of the nearly impossible constraints that aid agencies are operating under,” the IRC said on X.

“We know from experience around the world, that once famine is declared, it is too late for too many. We need unimpeded access to fully assess and meet humanitarian need, and a permanent ceasefire to prevent further loss of life and enable the release of all hostages.”

[3:30pm Doha Time] New Zealand to make annual payment to UNRWA

New Zealand announces that it will make its annual payment of $1m to UNRWA“in the coming days”.

“This follows careful consideration of the UN's response – including through external & internal investigations – to serious allegations against certain UNRWA staff being involved in the 7 October terrorist attacks on Israel,” Winston Peters, New Zealand's foreign minister, said on X.

“It also reflects assurances received from the UN Secretary-General about remedial work underway to enhance UNRWA's neutrality.”

New Zealand usually makes its payment in June, but in January Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said his country would hold off until the Israeli accusations were settled.

[2:00pm Doha Time] Gaza's death toll rises

A Palestinian man hugs a woman as they mourn the death of a loved one following Israeli bombardment, outside a hospital in Deir el-Balah in the central gaza Strip, on June 7, 2024. (Photo by Bashar TALEB / AFP)

At least 36,731 people have been killed and 83,530 wounded in Israeli military attacks on Gaza since October 7, the enclave's Health Ministry says.

Of them, 77 Palestinians were killed and 221 wounded in the past 24 hours, the ministry added.

[1:20pm Doha Time] 'Between 35 and 45 people' killed in Thursday strike on UNRWA school

UNRWA spokeswoman Tamara Alrifai says the shelter that Israeli forces attacked on Thursday was housing“up to 6,000 people”.

“Originally, this was a school but since the beginning of the war, it has housed people who have been repeatedly displaced as the conflict in Gaza evolved,” she told the Democracy Now news outlet.

“The strike happened around 2am and from what we understand there are between 35 and 45 people killed, many of them are children.”

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