NNA – ldquo;UNRWA received alarming reports that armed actors continue to occupy its installations including a school compound in Ein El Hilweh Palestine refugee camp in the south of Lebanon. UNRWA facilities have reportedly been damaged by the recent fighting in the camp,quot; said Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, Dorothee Klaus, in a statement on Thursday.
ldquo;The compound has four UNRWA schools that normally provide education to 3,200 Palestine Refugee children,quot; she noted, adding: ldquo;This is a grave violation of the inviolability of UN premises under international law, which compromises the neutrality of UNRWA installations and undermines the safety and security of our staff and Palestine Refugees.quot;
ldquo;UNRWA strongly condemns these acts,quot; she stressed.
ldquo;All UNRWA facilities, including schools, must be protected at all times. Schools are meant to be a sanctuary for children and zones of peace where children learn and play. They must never be used for armed conflict.quot;
ldquo;UNRWA urges all relevant actors to immediately vacate its premises so that the Agency can restore critical services and the delivery of assistance to Palestine Refugees in need,quot; she concluded.
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