UN agency 'immensely worried' after losing contact to staff in Gaza

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has lost contact with its staff in Gaza amid the Israeli bombardment of the coastal strip.

UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini said he had lost contact with the "vast majority" of his team. "This makes me immensely worried for colleagues and their families."

He said he sincerely hoped his message would reach staff. Lazzarini described the communications blackout as "yet another action taken to try to impede the humanitarian response to the civilians of the Gaza Strip."