United Nations workers observed a minute’s silence to honour the more than 100 employees killed in Gaza since Israel’s bombardment of the coastal enclave began last month as UN flags flew at half mast, Reuters reports.

Staff at UN offices in Geneva bowed their heads as a candle was lit in memory of the 101 employees of the UN Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA) killed in the Israeli assault on Gaza.

“This is the highest number of aid workers killed in the history of our organisation in such a short time,” said Tatiana Valovaya, director general of the United Nations in Geneva.

“We are gathered here today, united in this very symbolic location, to pay respect to our brave colleagues who sacrificed their lives while serving under the United Nations flag.”

UNRWA has said that some staff members were killed while queuing for bread while others were killed along with their families in their homes.