In just one month, the fighting in Gaza has claimed more UN aid workers' lives than any previous conflict. Since Oct. 7, at least 89 UNRWA personnel, the major UN humanitarian aid force in the region, have been killed. In total, 131 UN aid workers have died in the Gaza Strip in 2023. UN leaders are calling for an immediate ceasefire and expansion of humanitarian access to Gaza, emphasizing the need to protect civilians and vital infrastructure and to ensure the safe and swift delivery of essential aid.

But Israel remains unswayed by their calls and mounting international pressure for a ceasefire, saying hostages taken by Hamas militants should be released first.

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President Donald Trump welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House for bilateral talks in Washington, D.C., United States, on April 7, 2025.
Andrew Leyden/NurPhoto

Netanyahu said Israel won’t pull back from Gaza until Hamas gives up its weapons—a nonstarter for Hamas, which insists it won’t disarm until Israel withdraws first.