According to the United Nations, more than 240 aid workers have been killed in Gaza

Over 240 aid workers have died in Gaza since the Hamas war began, a UN official told The Independent.

UN spokeswoman Olga Cherevko, who is currently in Rafah, also described the “horrible” conditions in which the people live. She said: “Since this war began we have not received enough aid.

“It’s terrible, almost 1.5 million people live here, basically on top of each other.

“The number of humanitarian workers we have lost is now over 240 people killed, some of them in the line of duty.”

Ms Cherevko’s comments came as the Israeli military launched its offensive in Rafah despite repeated warnings from the US and Britain.