France-based medical charity Médecins du Monde (Doctors of the World) has accused Israel of violating international law with drone strikes on a building housing one of its offices in Gaza that killed eight people who were not staff members, AFP reports.

The aid group said in a statement that the attack yesterday constituted a “serious violation of international humanitarian law, which protects both civilian populations and humanitarian organisations operating in conflict zones”.

“Yesterday morning, at around 11am local time, a building in Deir el-Balah housing a Médecins du Monde office was attacked by drones,” the aid group said.

Its staff had not been present as they had been off as part of the Eidul Azha holiday, it added. “At least eight people were killed in the bombardment. All were on the last floor of the building,” it said, without providing more details on those killed.

“Médecins du Monde had informed the Israeli military of the presence of its office,” it said, adding that “as during previous Israeli attacks, the team received no forward warning that would have allowed it to evacuate the building or take measures to protect anyone inside”.