The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has recently condemned the targeting of its facilities in the Gaza Strip during the latest conflict between the Palestinian Hamas movement and Israel. 

In an Aug. 11 press release, UNRWA stressed that its installations are inviolable at all times, and called on all parties to refrain from any activity or behavior that endangers beneficiaries and employees and undermines its ability to safely assist refugees.

“Initial risk assessments have indicated the existence of underground structures that could have led to further damage,” the statement read. “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.”

On June 4, UNRWA said in an official statement, “With no advanced warning, between May 13 and May 15, 2021, the Israeli Air Force conducted strikes that caused damage to UNRWA installations, most notably to the UNRWA Zaitoun Preparatory Boys’ School ‘A’ and Elementary Boys’ School ‘A.’”