UNRWA Condemns Armed Violence in Ain el-Hilweh Camp

UNRWA strongly condemned on Tuesday the ongoing armed violence that erupted in the Ain el-Hilweh Palestine Refugee camp in Lebanon.

Recurrent armed violence continues to impact the civilian population in the Camp, including children, an UNRWA statement said on Tuesday.

There are reports of injuries to civilians and damage to shelters as a result of the weekend’s clashes. An UNRWA installation is reported as sustaining minor damage and the unauthorized entry of armed actors into one UNRWA school was reported.

Due to the violent clashes that erupted in Ain el-Hilweh and taking into consideration security considerations, all UNRWA services were suspended yesterday and today. On Friday, 24 February, two UNRWA facilities for health and relief services in the Upper Street of Ain el-Hilweh were also closed due to clashes, it added.

UNRWA will continue to assess the security situation to ensure that services can be resumed as soon as possible considering the need to ensure the safety and security of the Agency’s personnel and beneficiaries.

As a humanitarian organization we are significantly concerned about the impact that ongoing armed violence in Ain el-Hilweh has on beneficiaries and on safe access to UNRWA services, including schools and vital health services.

UNRWA again calls on all those involved to ensure Palestine refugees are protected against harm in accordance with applicable standards under international law.

UNRWA also continues to urge 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 civilians, including UNRWA staff, the statement concluded.