At least eight individuals have lost their lives due to an Israeli airstrike close to the central headquarters of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip.

The airstrike on Sunday targeted the main gate of the organization's complex in Gaza City, located in the northern part of the enclave, resulting in injuries to several Palestinians. This facility serves as a distribution point for the limited humanitarian aid that reaches Gaza.

Hundreds of people displaced by the Israeli military's ground operations in Gaza were taking refuge in the facility during the assault.

A Palestinian woman on the scene informed Al Jazeera that she observed numerous bodies and that two of her children sustained injuries in the airstrike.

"What fault did these innocent children have? They are fleeing death only to face it again. Young men and women are being brutally slaughtered by the Israelis," she said.

"Several individuals were there to collect aid coupons, and others had evacuated their homes to seek shelter here. Some were gathering water, others were receiving aid, and suddenly something fell. We fled; those carrying water spilled it," recounted Mohammed Tafesh, an eyewitness.

A Reuters photographer reported encountering a completely destroyed low-rise building, with bodies shrouded in blankets laid beside the road, awaiting removal.

Responding to the attack, the Israeli military claimed the building served as a "cover for terrorist activities" and was utilized by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

No place is safe in #Gaza.

According to @GlobalEdCluster, 69% of school buildings where displaced families sought refuge have been hit or damaged.

This blatant disregard for humanitarian law must cease. We demand a #CeasefireNow. pic.twitter.com/izwPNeKOVC

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) June 23, 2024

This attack follows a series of airstrikes on the city the previous day, including assaults on the Shati and Tufah camps where northern displaced residents were directed to seek safety by the Israeli military. These strikes resulted in at least 42 Palestinian fatalities.

The Gaza Ministry of Health reported on Saturday that the preceding 24 hours saw the deaths of at least 101 Palestinians, with 169 more sustaining injuries.

This was the deadliest day since the June 8 massacre at the Nuseirat refugee camp, which resulted in at least 274 Palestinian deaths and hundreds more injuries. That daylight operation also led to the rescue of four Israeli captives.

According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, the ongoing devastating Israeli military offensive, now surpassing eight months, has resulted in the deaths of 37,598 Palestinians and injuries to 86,032 others, including many women and children.

Despite international condemnation and calls for an immediate ceasefire along with increased aid to mitigate the severe consequences of blocking food, fuel, and medicine to Gaza, Israeli attacks on aid distribution and UN facilities continue.

UNRWA reports that since the conflict began, there have been 445 incidents of the Israeli military damaging 188 UN facilities. Additionally, at least 500 displaced Palestinians have been killed while taking shelter in these sites, with 1,547 injured.

The Israeli military has also resulted in the deaths of a record 193 UN staff since October 7.

Meanwhile, aid supplies are accumulating and spoiling outside the Gaza Strip due to complex bureaucratic procedures imposed by the Israeli military and the security challenges of operations within the enclave, preventing war-affected Palestinians from receiving much-needed relief.