Attack on UNRWA school in Nuseirat, Gaza

The Brazilian government condemns, in the strongest terms, the Israeli attack carried out this morning, June 6th, on United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) school in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The attack killed at least 40 people and injured dozens more. The targeted complex was sheltering internally displaced persons, primarily women and children, who rely heavily on the support provided by UNRWA.

Since the onset of the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, over 430 incidents involving UNRWA facilities in the Strip have been recorded. It is estimated that at least 455 internally displaced persons have been killed and another 1,476 injured while seeking refuge in UNRWA facilities. A total of 180 agency workers in Gaza have since been killed.

The Brazilian government renews its firm commitment to UNRWA's valuable work with Palestinian refugees and reaffirms that the attacks agaisnt civilian populations and infrastructure, in breach of the principles of distinction and proportionality, represent serious violations of international humanitarian law. There is no justification for military attacks against UN facilities. Likewise, densely populated areas must be spared.

The Brazilian government also expresses its deliberate rejection of the indiscriminate use of military force against civilians and calls for full respect for human rights and for international humanitarian law. The Brazilian government calls on all parties to the conflict to engage in a dialogue conducive to an immediate and lasting ceasefire, and to also take into account the agreement which is currently on the table, proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden on May 31st.