UNRWA Condemns Ain el-Hilweh Violence that Forced Children to Flee

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The U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, UNRWA, strongly condemned Wednesday the armed violence that took place in the Ain el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in Sidon on December 5.

“Armed violence, including the use of firearms, shocked and frightened Palestine refugees in the Bostan Al Qudes area in the proximity of four UNRWA schools -- Faloujah, Hitten, Marj Ben Amer and Qibya schools -- putting at considerable risk the lives of students receiving education from UNRWA,” said a statement issued by UNRWA Spokesperson Christopher Gunness.

“One armed person entered UNRWA schools without authorization, contrary to the inviolability and neutrality of U.N. premises and instructed children to leave the schools. The school buildings were clearly marked with a U.N. flag,” the statement said.

UNRWA students were able to evacuate the area “without injury, notwithstanding that live fire continued while the children were leaving,” it added.

As a result of the incident, all UNRWA schools and installations were closed in Ain el-Hilweh on December 5.

“Due to repeated armed violence and increased risks to civilian lives, UNRWA suspended its operations in the camp today 7 December 2016 for one day,” the statement said.

UNRWA called on all those involved to “respect the rule of law, the sanctity of human life and the protection of Palestine refugees, particularly of children.”

“UNRWA urges all armed actors to respect the inviolability and neutrality of UNRWA premises in accordance with international law and to take all measures necessary to ensure the safety of UNRWA staff, students and installations,” the statement said.

“As a humanitarian organization we are significantly concerned that armed violence and disturbances taking place in Ain el-Hilweh, where tens of thousands of Palestine refugees live, affect the security, safety and the enjoyment of rights of its residents including children’s rights to education,” the statement warned.

“UNRWA will continue to monitor developments and we will continue our dialogue with all relevant actors to advocate for the safety and dignity of Palestine refugees living in Ain el-Hilweh,” it added.

Armed clashes had erupted overnight between the mainstream Fatah Movement and Islamists from a group led by the militant Bilal Bader.

The fighting caused material damage and intermittent gunshots were still being heard in the morning in the al-Fawqani Street amid a total closure of UNRWA schools and institutes.

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