Unrwa said that Gaza employees were abused by the Israeli military

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency in the Near East said on Tuesday (April 29) that more than 50 of its staff members in the Gaza Strip were abused and used as human shields while detained by the Israeli military.

AFP reported that the head of UNRWA, Lazarini, said on social media X: "Since the war broke out in October 2023, more than 50 UNRWA staff members, including teachers, doctors and social workers, have been detained and abused."

They suffered extremely shocking and inhumane treatment. They reported that they had been beaten and used as human shields.

Lazarini quoted the testimony of a staff member who had been detained by the Israeli military. The staff member said, "I hope death can end this nightmare that I have experienced."

They added: "I received this terrifying testimony from a colleague who was rounded up in Gaza, tortured during detention in Israel, and eventually released."

Lazarini said that the detainees had suffered "sleep deprivation, humiliation, threats to harm them and their families, and attacks by dogs".

Many people were forced to plead guilty. This is simply heartrending and infuriating.

Previously, Israel accused some staff of UNRWA of being involved in the attack launched by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Independent investigations show that Israel has not provided any evidence to support the accusation yet.

The International Court of Justice is hearing hearings from dozens of countries and organizations to draft an advisory opinion on Israel's humanitarian obligations towards Palestinians. Israel has completely blocked aid from entering the Gaza Strip for more than 50 days.

Israel did not participate in the trials of the International Court of Justice, but immediately fought back, claiming that these hearings were part of "systematic persecution and illegalization of Israel".

Israeli Foreign Minister Saar said on Sunday (the 27th) : "It is not Israel that should be put on trial, but the United Nations and UNRWA."