The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA, has strongly condemned the killing of one of its staff members, Husein Ali Muhsen, 52, and his uncle, Ahmad Mahmud Muhsen, 77, in Syria yesterday.

Reports indicate that Mr. Muhsen and his uncle were killed by an airstrike that hit a mosque during morning prayers in the Palestine refugee camp of Khan Eshieh in the south west of rural Damascus. At least 12 people were injured in the incident.

Mr. Muhsen served UNRWA with distinction for 24 years. He worked both as a Distribution Team Leader with the Procurement and Logistics department and most recently as a clerk at the UNRWA health centre in the camp. He is the twentieth UNRWA staff member to be killed since the beginning of the conflict in Syria and is survived by his wife and six children. The thoughts and condolences of all UNRWA staff go out to his bereaved family.

UNRWA urged all armed actors to respect the inviolability of UNRWA premises in accordance with international law and not to enter or target UNRWA schools.