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Thursday, July 17, 2014
UNRWA Strongly Condemns Placement of Rockets in School [Palestinians put rockets in Gaza school]

UNRWA Strongly Condemns Placement of Rockets in School
17 July 2014
Agency Demands Full Respect for the Sanctity of Its Premises in Gaza
http://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/unrwa-strongly-condemns-placem=
ent-rockets-school

East Jerusalem

Yesterday, in the course of the regular inspection of its premises, UNRWA =

discovered approximately 20 rockets hidden in a vacant school in the Gaza =

Strip. UNRWA strongly condemns the group or groups responsible for placing =

the weapons in one of its installations. This is a flagrant violation of th=
e =

inviolability of its premises under international law. This incident, which =

is the first of its kind in Gaza, endangered civilians including staff and =

put at risk UNRWA=92s vital mission to assist and protect Palestine refugee=
s =

in Gaza.

Immediately after discovery, the Agency informed the relevant parties and =

successfully took all necessary measures for the removal of the objects in =

order to preserve the safety and security of the school. UNRWA has launched =

a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding this =

incident.

UNRWA has strong, established procedures to maintain the neutrality of all =

its premises, including a strict no-weapons policy and routine inspections =

of its installations, to ensure they are only used for humanitarian =

purposes. UNRWA will uphold and further reinforce its procedures.

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.

Background Information

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 194=
9 =

and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of som=
e =

5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine =

refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve =

their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their =

plight. UNRWA=92s services encompass education, health care, relief and soc=
ial =

services, camp infrastructure and improvement, and microfinance.

Financial support to UNRWA has not kept pace with an increased demand for =

services caused by growing numbers of registered refugees, expanding need, =

and deepening poverty. As a result, the Agency's General Fund (GF), =

supporting UNRWA=92s core activities and 97 per cent reliant on voluntary =

contributions, has begun each year with a large projected deficit. Currentl=
y =

the deficit stands at US$ 69 million.

For more information, please contact:

Christopher Gunness
UNRWA Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 240 2659
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0267
c.gunness@unrwa.org

Sami Mshasha
UNRWA Arabic Spokesperson
Mobile: +972 (0)54 216 8295
Office: +972 (0)2 589 0724
s.mshasha@unrwa.org

________________________________________
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Since 1992 providing news and analysis on the Middle East with a focus on A=
rab-Israeli relations

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