Unicef says many displaced people had hoped their homes had been spared, but have returned to total devastation
Unrwa has provided education, health and other basic services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the region, including in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Israeli government has accused the UN agency of allowing Hamas militants to infiltrate its staff, an allegation the agency denies.
At the end of January, Israel formally banned Unrwa from operating on its territory but many operations are continuing, according to Hareetz. Here is an extract from its story published yesterday:
In contrast to concerns at Unrwa and among Palestinians, Israel has so far not taken any direct action aimed at preventing Unrwa operations in East Jerusalem. Schools in the Shoafat refugee camp and in other locations in the city, as well as Unrwa-run clinics, worked as usual last week, as did cleaning services provided by the agency at Shoafat. Officials in Unrwa say that they have not received any instructions from Israel to stop operating in East Jerusalem.
However, in the wake of these laws, the visas of 25 international employees who managed Unrwa operations in Jerusalem and the West Bank were revoked. These employees left Israel and are continuing to work from Jordan.
Hundreds of families in Deir al-Balah and North Gaza have been affected, with hundreds of tents destroyed and several households displaced.
Unrwa is delivering tents, tarps, blankets and other essential supplies to thousands across Gaza struggling with the harsh conditions.
