International

The escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has claimed the lives of 152 UN employees, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said.

"I am deeply troubled by the clear violation of international humanitarian law that we are witnessing," he said. "Since October 7, 152 UN staff members have been killed in Gaza - the largest single loss of life in the history of our organization."

"Still, aid workers, under enormous pressure and with no safety guarantees, are doing their best to deliver inside Gaza," Guterres said.

The situation in the Middle East sharply escalated following an incursion of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israel on October 7. Hamas has cast the attack as a response to Israeli actions against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israel has declared a complete siege of the Gaza Strip and started a military operation there. Israel also strikes parts of Lebanon and Syria in retaliation for bombardments originating from these countries. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.