Tel Aviv [Israel], September 12 (HBTV): Six staff members of the UN agency were among those killed in Israeli airstrikes at a school-turned-shelter in Gaza, the United Nations said. 

The six staffers belonged to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the agency that assists Palestine refugees. 

At least 34 people were killed in the strikes, UN News reported citing media reports. UNRWA said the shelter manager and other team members were among the victims.

"This is the highest death toll among our staff in a single incident. Among those killed was the manager of the UNRWA shelter and other team members providing assistance to displaced people. Sincere condolences to their families and loved ones. This school has been hit five times since the war began," it added. 

The UNRWA school in Nuseirat, located in the Middle Area of the Gaza Strip, was sheltering around 12,000 displaced people, mainly women and children. This marked the fifth time that it had been hit since the conflict began 11 months ago. 

Earlier on Wednesday, the United Nations said the site had been previously deconflicted with the Israeli forces.

UNRWA further called on all parties to the conflict to never use schools or the areas around them for military or fighting purposes. 

"It is home to around 12,000 displaced people, mainly women and children. No one is safe in GazaNo one is spared. Schools and other civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times, they are not a target. We call on all parties to the conflict to never use schools or the areas around them for military or fighting purposes," the post further stated.

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres deplored the killings and said these "dramatic violations of international humanitarian law" needs to stop. 

(ANI)