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LAST UPDATE | 1 Nov 2024
THE HEAD OF the main UN aid agency for Palestinians has said Israeli bulldozers “severely damaged” one of its offices in the West Bank yesterday.
The office is located in the Nur Shams refugee camp in the north of the occupied territory. The damage occured during an Israeli military operation in the area.
Israel has denied responsibility for damaging the office.
“The claim that the UNRWA offices in Nur Shams were destroyed by IDF soldiers is false,” the Israeli military said in a statement.
“Terrorists planted explosives in the proximity of the UNRWA offices that were then detonated in an attempt to harm IDF soldiers. The explosives likely caused damage to the structure.”
The area has been the site of extensive Israeli military raids this year, during which Israeli forces have torn up roads and crippled essential infrastructure while going door to door in search of militants.
One resident of the Nur Shams refugee camp told The Journal the Israeli raid was “really a horrifying experience, especially that most of the clashes were in our neighborhood and they cut the electricity. Thank God it’s ended.”
Meanwhile in Gaza, 55 Palestinians were killed by Israeli air strikes in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 43,259 since the war began last year.
Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner general of UNRWA, said in a post on X that the Nur Shams office can no longer be used.
“It was the hub to deliver basic services to more than 14,000 Palestine Refugees in the camp, including learning for children, health, sanitation & social protection,” he said.
“During the Israeli military operation, roads, water and electricity networks were also destroyed in the camp.”
Tánaiste Mícheál Martin said that he was “appalled” by the attack on the facility.
“UNRWA and other UN actors provide essential support to extremely vulnerable people and must be allowed to carry out this work.
“Israel must fulfil its obligations under international humanitarian law. Hamas must agree a ceasefire and the immediate release of all hostages. This violence must come to an end,” he said.
The Israeli parliament voted on Monday to ban UNRWA from operating in Israel and East Jerusalem, which amounts to an effective ban on the vital aid agency across all of Palestine.
The move has been widely condemned as a form of collective punishment for Palestinians.
“Once again, United Nations facilities are being routinely disregarded while they must be protected at all times, including in times of conflict,” Lazzarini said.
Using bulldozers, Israeli Forces severely damaged today (Thursday) the @UNRWA office in the Nur Shams Camp, north of the #WestBank.
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) October 31, 2024
The office can no longer be used.
It was the hub to deliver basic services to more than 14,000 Palestine Refugees in the camp, including… pic.twitter.com/QFAR4LcPRb
Officially called the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, UNRWA provides a wide range of services and employs around 30,000 people – mostly Palestinians.
The agency’s remit involves providing education, healthcare, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance.
More than 700 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the West Bank in the last 12 months.
Contains reporting from Press Association and AFP.
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