Fighting Around Yarmouk Camp and Calibration of Use of Force at Demonstrations at Gaza Fence – Daily Press Briefing by SecGen Spokesman (excerpts)

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING BY FARHAN HAQ,
DEPUTY SPOKESMAN FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTÓNIO GUTERRES
FRIDAY, 20 APRIL 2018

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• The UN Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, is deeply concerned about the fate of thousands of civilians, including Palestine refugees, after more than a week of increased violence and intense fighting around Yarmouk in Syria.
• We estimate that there were about 6,000 Palestine refugee civilians in Yarmouk and about 6,000 in the surrounding areas. There are reports that large numbers of people have been displaced from Yarmouk Camp to the neighbouring area of Yalda. There are also reports of civilian casualties.
• UNRWA is ready to provide assistance to the population in the area if and when the security situation allows and access is granted.

• The UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Nickolay Mladenov, continues to follow with concern the situation along the Gaza fence. This is the fourth consecutive Friday where we are witnessing Palestinian casualties.
• He reiterates that Israeli security forces must calibrate the use of force and only employ lethal force as a last resort. He also reiterates his call on Palestinians to avoid friction at the Gaza fence.

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