United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said that thousands of civilians have lost their lives in the “Middle East violence”.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said the casualties included 35 UNRWA (United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees) colleagues, humanitarians, and teachers who have been killed in Gaza since October 7.

“We mourn their loss and stand with colleagues doing all they can to assist those in need,” Guterres added.