UN official calls for an investigation into strikes on UNRWA schools

UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl stressed the necessity of conducting an investigation into the strikes on the UN schools in Gaza during Israel’s assault on the enclave.

During a press conference held in Gaza yesterday, Krähenbühl said that UNRWA strongly condemns the strikes on schools where civilians had sought refuge after fleeing their homes.

Since the launch of “Operation Protective Edge” on July 7, the Israeli army raided three UNRWA refugee centres, which resulted in the death of 41 Palestinians and the injury of at least 500 others, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Krähenbühl noted that UNRWA is currently providing aid to some 800,000 Palestinian refugees across the Gaza Strip.

He stressed that UNRWA will not disappoint the Palestinian people and will continue to stand by them in all circumstances.

He said that he saw complete destruction of cities and entire neighbourhoods in Gaza, where 1.8 million Palestinians live, especially in the southern town of Khuzaa, Beit Hanoun in the north, and the Shujaya neighbourhood. He called for rebuilding Gaza and for an immediate end to the blockade.

Egypt is currently hosting a new round of talks between Israel and the Palestinian factions in the hope of reaching an agreement on a permanent ceasefire amid the temporary truce that started on Thursday and ends today.

As of yet, negotiations have not led to an end to the Israeli war on Gaza, but it only extended the truce, for the third time, to allow for negotiations over both sides’ demands.

Some 2,016 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed during Israel’s attack on the Strip, a further 10,193 people were injured, according to official Palestinian figures

Official Israeli statements revealed that 64 Israeli soldiers and three Israeli civilians were killed, in addition to the injury of 1,008 Israelis, who include 651 soldiers and 357 civilians.