Tunnel underneath school in Gaza: UNRWA condemns neutrality violation


nsnbc : The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) condemned the violation of neutrality after it discovered yet another tunnel underneath one of the schools operated by the agency in the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

UNRWA school in the Gaza Strip served as refugee shelter during Israel's 2014 war on Gaza.

UNRWA school in the Gaza Strip served as refugee shelter during Israel’s 2014 war on Gaza.

In a press release from October 28 UNRWA stressed that it on October 15, 2017,  discovered the existence of what appeared to be a tunnel underneath one of its schools in Gaza.  UNRWA reported that in accordance with its protocol, the Agency has taken the necessary measures immediately to render the school safe and has sealed the cavity underneath its premises. The school resumed its operations on the 25th of October.

UNRWA stressed that it has robustly intervened with relevant parties to protest the violation of the sanctity and disrespect of the neutrality of UN premises. UNRWA reiterated, as in previous, similar cases, that the presence of a tunnel underneath an UNRWA installation, which enjoys inviolability under international law, is unacceptable. The Agency also reiterated that such violations of neutrality places children and Agency staff at risk.

The Agency reiterated that it demands full respect of the neutrality and inviolability of United Nations premises at all times. Any activities or conduct that put beneficiaries and staff alike at risk, and undermine the ability of UNRWA staff to provide assistance to Palestine refugees in safety and security, must cease, read UNRWA’s press release.

Violations of neutrality of UNRWA schools in the Gaza Strip happen frequently and have in the past included the firing of rockets from the proximity of schools to then blame Israel for “targeting children”, as well as tunnels.

June 1, 2017 UNRWA discovered part of a tunnel that passes under two adjacent Agency schools in Maghazi camp in the Gaza Strip, namely the Maghazi Elementary Boys A&B School and the Maghazi Preparatory Boys School.  The schools are located on the same premises.

The discovery was reportedly made during the summer vacation, at a time when the schools are empty, and in the course of work related to the construction of an extension of one of the buildings. In response to the discovery of the tunnels in June the Agency stated that:

Following a thorough inspection of the site, UNRWA can confirm that the tunnel has no entry or exit points on the premises nor is it connected to the schools or other buildings in any way.

UNRWA condemns the existence of such tunnels in the strongest possible terms. It is unacceptable that students and staff are placed at risk in such a way.  The construction and presence of tunnels under UN premises are incompatible with the respect of privileges and immunities owed to the United Nations under applicable international law, which provides that UN premises shall be inviolable. The sanctity and neutrality of UN premises must be preserved at all times.

NRWA has robustly intervened and protested to Hamas in Gaza. It has also informed them that the Agency intends to seal the tunnel under its premises, as an immediate priority. We will not allow any students or staff into the building until the issue is resolved.

The Agency again demands that all parties respect the neutrality and inviolability of United Nations premises at all times.  Furthermore we demand they desist from any activities or conduct that put beneficiaries and staff at risk and undermine the ability of UN staff to provide assistance to Palestine refugees in safety and security.

The discovery of the tunnels puts into perspective incidents like the Israeli shelling of one of its schools that was sheltering hundreds of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in July 2014, after Hamas fighters were observed launching rockets from the vicinity of the school. Moreover, UNRWA discovered rockets made by Hamas’ armed wing – the Qassam Brigades – between to other UNWRA schools that at the time accommodated 1,500 internally displaced persons. UNRWA, in 2014, condemned Israel’s shelling of the school as unequivocally as it condemns the construction of tunnels under school premises.

F/AK – nsnbc 28.10.2017



Source Article from https://nsnbc.me/2017/10/28/tunnel-underneath-school-in-gaza-unrwa-condemns-neutrality-violation/

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