Israeli Forces airstrikes hit an UNRWA building in Jabalia northern Gaza today.
The building was previously a health centre, heavily damaged earlier in the war.
Initial reports indicate the facility was sheltering over 700 people when it was hit.
Among those killed are reportedly nine children, including a two-week-old baby.
Displaced families stayed at the shelter after it was hit because they have nowhere else to go.
Since the war began, more than 300 UN buildings have been damaged or completely destroyed even though all their coordinates are regularly shared with the warring parties. More than 700 people have been killed while seeking United Nations protection.
Too many UNRWA premises have also reportedly been used for military and fighting purposes by Palestinian armed groups including Hamas or the Israeli forces.
The total disregard of UN staff, premises or operations is a profond defiance of international law.
I call once again for indpendent investigations to find out the circumstances of each of these attacks and the serious violations.
In Gaza, all lines have been crossed over and over again.
UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.
UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.
UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.
