Secretary-General Condemns Vandalism of Gaza Children’s Facility

 

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General condemns the vandalism last night by masked armed men of a United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) summer games facility in the Gaza Strip.  He is very concerned that this is the second such incident in a month.  Such attacks are an assault upon the well-being of Gaza’s children, 250,000 of whom attend UNRWA’s summer games for recreation and education, as well as a respite from the difficulties of everyday life in the Strip.

The Secretary-General calls upon the de facto authorities to combat any incitement against United Nations operations, and ensure the safety of UNRWA and other United Nations personnel and programmes serving the most vulnerable in Gaza.  He calls for those responsible for these incidents to be brought to justice.

* *** *

For information media • not an official record