“There has been an unprecedented spike in the killing of humanitarian staff,” reveals Joyce Msuya, assistant secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and deputy emergency relief coordinator, in her address to the UN Security Council. “In 2024, our data shows that this year has surpassed all previous records, with 377 aid workers losing their lives across 20 countries, an increase of nearly 100 fatalities over 2023, which had already observed a 137% increase from 2022.”

Israel’s extension of its ground operations in Gaza has coincided with these attacks, as the besieged territory has gone without any humanitarian aid for a month now.

In light of these grim findings, the UN is raising serious concerns only days after emergency crews unearthed a mass grave containing the remains of 15 aid workers in Gaza.

These individuals, killed by Israeli forces just days prior, were in the midst of carrying out essential work in the region.

Among the victims found in the grave in Rafah’s southern area were members of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, individuals attached to the civil defense, and another working with the UN.

“These strikes aim to hinder the UN’s ability to assist the most vulnerable populations and prevent them from witnessing these events. The impunity surrounding attacks on humanitarian personnel has become tragically commonplace. It’s a pervasive, normative tragedy perpetuated not just by non-state actors but by governments and their affiliates as well.” commented Gilles Michaud, Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security, at the UN Security Council.

The organization grieves the loss of these personnel, with the UN Humanitarian Chief, Tom Fletcher, urgently calling for an end to these targeted killings.