In yet another devastating blow to humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza, Israeli forces have completely destroyed the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The attack, which took place during the recent raid on Gaza City, has been condemned by UNRWA Commissioner Philippe Lazzarini as a blatant war crime.

The UNRWA headquarters, once a bustling hub for aid operations, now lies in ruins. The building, which was one of many operated by the UN agency, served as a vital lifeline for Palestinian refugees in Gaza. The destruction of this facility emphasizes the ongoing disregard for international humanitarian law and the urgent need to protect United Nations facilities.

Tamara Alrifai, UNRWA's director of external relations, expressed shock and disbelief at the extent of the destruction. In an interview with Al Jazeera English, Alrifai described the headquarters as "unrecognizable" compared to previous visits, underscoring the magnitude of Israel's violations of international law.

This devastating attack on the UNRWA headquarters is not an isolated incident. Since last October, Israeli forces have targeted 190 UNRWA facilities in Gaza, causing the deaths of 197 UNRWA workers. This makes the Israeli military conflict in Gaza the deadliest in recent history in terms of humanitarian aid worker casualties.

The relentless bombing campaign by Israeli forces has rendered Gaza uninhabitable for numerous reasons. The sheer amount of destruction, with vast amounts of rubble scattered throughout the region, poses significant obstacles to recovery. Clearing this rubble alone is estimated to take 15 years and cost a minimum of $500 million.

Moreover, the rubble also poses a deadly threat as it contains unexploded ordnances. Reports have surfaced of unexploded bombs causing casualties among displaced Palestinians who are forced to navigate through the hazardous remains of their homes.

The situation in Gaza has reached a critical point, with Palestinians running out of safe havens and facing the ominous risk of encountering unexploded ordnances. Approximately 10 percent of bombs dropped by Israeli forces fail to detonate upon impact, becoming dangerous traps poised to claim innocent lives.

Recent escalations in Israeli attacks have further exacerbated the already dire situation. Palestinian officials have reported that in the last 48 hours alone, 320 Palestinians have been killed, including 17 Palestinians who lost their lives in an Israeli airstrike targeting a UNRWA school.

As international outrage continues to mount against Israel's actions, the destruction of the UNRWA headquarters serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and adherence to international humanitarian law. The international community must prioritize the protection of UN facilities, ensuring they are never used for military purposes. Only through collective action and renewed commitment to peace can the cycle of destruction and suffering in Gaza be broken.