Israel-Gaza conflict: Gaza UN agency discovers 20 rockets hidden in vacant school

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency 'strongly condemned' those responsible after making the discovery during an inspection

Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl, of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, surveys the New Gaza Boys United Nations School, where dozens of families have sought refuge after fleeing their home in fear of (Getty Images )

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has demanded “full respect for the sanctity of its premises” after discovering 20 rockets hidden in a vacant school in the Gaza Strip.

The organisation said it “strongly condemned” those responsible for placing weapons inside the building, in what it described as a “flagrant violation of the inviolability of its premises under international law”.

The incident is the first of its kind in Gaza, the group added, and comes as a five-hour humanitarian ceasefire expired. The end was marked by renewed cross-border fighting, as officials dismissed reports of a new truce agreement.

The UNRWA said: “This incident endangered civilians including staff and put at risk UNRWA’s vital mission to assist and protect Palestine refugees in Gaza.

“Palestinian civilians in Gaza rely on UNRWA to provide humanitarian assistance and shelter. At all times, and especially during escalations of violence, the sanctity and integrity of UN installations must be respected.”

Talks in Cairo aimed at achieving a long-lasting ceasefire are apparently making progress, officials have told Sky News, although no final agreement has been reached.

Earlier, a spokesperson for the Israeli government has said its military "does not target civilians" in airstrikes the day after four children were killed by shelling whilst playing on a Gaza beach.