TAOISEACH SIMON HARRIS has expressed his gratitude to aid workers who risk their lives, after six of them were killed in Israeli airstrikes on a school.

More than 220 United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNWRA) members have been killed in the Gaza since the beginning of Israel’s war with Hamas last October.

The strikes yesterday hit a UN school sheltering displaced Palestinian families, as well as two homes, killing at least 34 people, including 19 women and children.

“My thoughts are with the staff of the United Nations as they mourn the loss of six UNRWA colleagues killed in an Israeli attack on a school where thousands of displaced Palestinians were sheltering,” Harris said.

“Earlier this week, we saw shots fired at a UN convoy distributing polio vaccines to protect children in Gaza, with staff threatened by Israeli military forces.

“We must never allow this to be normalised or take for granted the risks humanitarian workers take with their own lives to help others.

“We are deeply grateful for the work that they do and Ireland will continue to stand with the UN and with UNRWA as it carries out its vital work.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin also condemned the strikes.

I condemn the Israeli airstrikes that killed six @UNRWA staff in Gaza.

Humanitarian workers take exceptional risks to provide vital food and aid supplies to people.

There is an obligation to protect them.

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 12, 2024

Israel frequently bombs schools, saying they are being used by Hamas militants. It blames Hamas for civilian casualties from its strikes, saying its fighters base themselves and operate within dense residential neighbourhoods.

More than 90% of Gaza’s school buildings have been severely or partially damaged in strikes, and more than half the schools housing displaced people have been hit, according to a survey in July by the Education Cluster, a collection of aid groups led by Unicef and Save the Children.

Israel’s 11-month-old campaign in Gaza has killed at least 41,000 Palestinians and wounded another 95,000.

Harris said that there must be accountability for people who perpetrate war crimes.

He plans to extend his condolences in person to UN Secretary General Guterres when he visits the UN later this month.

“I again call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and unimpeded access to aid in Gaza.”