UNRWA condemns the arms in its school

The UN’s Palestinian refugee organization issues a condemnation of the groups responsible for placing weapons in one of the schools it operates.

“This is a flagrant violation of the inviolability of its premises under international law,” UNRWA says in a statement. “This incident, which is the first of its kind in Gaza, endangered civilians including staff and put at risk UNRWA’s vital mission to assist and protect Palestine refugees in Gaza.”

UNRWA notes that it has a strict no-weapons policy and that it has procedures to maintain neutrality and inspect its installations for arms, and it vows to “uphold and further reinforce its procedures.”

“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.”