UNRWA protests Hamas takeover of UNWRA school and underground tunnels at schools

UNRWA protests Hamas takeover of UNWRA school and underground tunnels at
schools

The Agency has also protested the takeover by the de facto authorities of
one of these schools
From: HQ-PIO
Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2021 5:19 PM
Subject: Urgent: UNRWA reiterates the Inviolability of its Installations
must be respected at all times

UNRWA reiterates the Inviolability of its Installations must be respected at
all times

11 August 2021
Gaza City

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
Near East (UNRWA) reiterates that its installations are inviolable at all
times, as it conducts follow-up risks assessment, through the United Nations
Mine Action Service (UNMAS), related to Israeli airstrikes between 13 and 15
May 2021 that damaged several of its premises.

Initial risk assessments have indicated the existence of underground
structures that could have led to further damage. The Agency condemns the
existence and potential use of such underground structures, including
tunnels, in the strongest possible terms, and letters of protest have been
sent to the de facto authorities in Gaza. The Agency has also protested the
takeover by the de facto authorities of one of these schools, which
undermines the inviolability and neutrality of UNRWA premises. These actions
also stand to compromise the safe return of children to their schools and
scuttles the Agency efforts to open the schools on time.

The Agency demands that all parties desist from any activities or conduct
that put beneficiaries and staff at risk and undermine the ability of UNRWA
to provide assistance to Palestine refugees in safety and security.

– Ends -