The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) expressed concern over the presence of Hamas tunnels near its infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, including a school. UNRWA stated in a press release that it condemns the existence of tunnels and the potential for their use, adding that it has protested to the authorities in Gaza regarding the matter. The agency also protested the seizure of one of its schools, which undermines the sanctity and neutrality of UNRWA buildings.
Between May 10 and 21, 260 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip, including militants, according to local authorities. In Israel, rocket fire from Gaza resulted in the deaths of 13 people, including a soldier, according to police and military reports. Israel accuses armed factions in Gaza of using civilian-hosting locations to launch rockets into its territory.
The statement follows reports by Israeli broadcasting that Hamas prevented a team of UN experts from inspecting a tunnel near a UNRWA school in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City. The broadcast noted that the team canceled plans to visit another UNRWA school in Rafah, southern Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade for 15 years and is home to around two million people.
Following the report, Israeli Ambassador to the United States and the United Nations Gilad Erdan called on the international organization to take "decisive action." Erdan stated that "the UN, as an institution responsible for maintaining international peace and security, cannot allow its schools and buildings to be used as safe havens for terrorists." He also called for a "freeze on funding for UNRWA infrastructure in Gaza until a comprehensive and independent investigation is completed."
