UN Bahrain lowers flags in global UN mourning over killing of UN aid workers in Gaza

At 9:30 am local time on Monday, the United Nations flag at the UN House in Manama was lowered to half-mast in global UN mourning for more than 100 UN aid workers who have been killed in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

UN staffers from different United Nations agencies, funds and programs in Bahrain came together solemnly on the occasion to observe a minute of silence in memory of their colleagues.

On Friday, The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) announced that the number of its staffers killed in Gaza has reached 101.

This is the highest number of United Nations aid workers killed in a conflict in the history of the United Nations.

UN facilities, including those providing shelter, have not been spared during the war in Gaza. To date, more than 60 have been impacted, including ten directly hit, according to UNRWA.

On Saturday, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reported the shelling of the United Nations compound in Gaza City, which UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People managed until 13 October when UN staff vacated the premises.   

The shelling has reportedly resulted in a significant number of deaths and injuries, UNDP said in a statement.   

Over five weeks into the conflict, there are reports of over 1,200 Israelis and 10,000 Palestinians killed.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has been calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages by Hamas, and for unimpeded access to humanitarian aid and workers within Gaza.