UNRWA official renews call for investigation into Gaza attacks – Global Issues
Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini made this appeal in a statement posted on social networking site X, formerly Twitter.
He noted that after 15 months since the war started in Gaza, “horror things are still going on under the watch of the whole world”.
258 UNRWA workers were killed
Citing the latest information from his teams, Mr Lazzarini said 258 UNRWA workers had been killed during this period.
About 650 incidents against UNRWA buildings and facilities were recorded, and at least 745 people were killed in its shelters while seeking UN protection. More than 2,200 others were injured.
Meanwhile, more than two-thirds of UNRWA’s buildings have been destroyed or damaged, many of which were used as schools before the war.
“We continue to receive reports that Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups have used our facilities. On many occasions, we have also been able to confirm the operation of our facilities by the Israeli Armed Forces,” he said.
Employees are locked out
Mr. Lazzarini added that at least 20 UNRWA workers are currently in Israeli detention centers, and “those who have previously been released have described systematic ill-treatment, humiliation and torture.”
He also highlighted the situation in northern Gaza, noting that “there has been a significant increase in attacks on our personnel, buildings and operations” since Israel increased its military operations there nearly three months ago.
© UNRWA
UNRWA schools in Gaza provide accommodation for displaced families.
It is not a target
“I reiterate my call for an independent investigation into the systematic disregard for the protection of humanitarian workers, facilities and operations,” he said.
“This cannot be a new standard and impunity cannot be a new thing.”
He emphasized that the “laws of war are clear”, namely that people and civilian infrastructure – including hospitals and UN buildings – are not targets, hostage-taking is not allowed, and that civilians must be helped and protected at all times.
Mr. Lazzarini concluded this statement by saying that it is time to release all the imprisoned workers and all the hostages, facilitate the access of aid to reach the people who need help wherever they are, and lift the siege of Gaza to bring the much needed resources, including the winter. . .
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