Updates on UNRWA investigation and bombing on schools sheltering displaced people in Gaza, Highlights of the noon briefing by Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General – 05 August 2024

05 August 2024

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UNRWA

The Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) has completed its investigation into 19 area staff members of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), regarding allegations of their involvement in the armed attacks of 7 October 2023 in southern Israel.

OIOS made findings in relation to each of the 19 UNRWA staff members alleged to have been involved in the attacks.

In one case, no evidence was obtained by OIOS to support the allegations of the staff member’s involvement, while in nine other cases, the evidence obtained by OIOS was insufficient to support the staff members’ involvement. With respect to these ten cases, appropriate measures will be taken in due course, in conformity with UNRWA Regulations and Rules.

In respect of the remaining nine cases, the evidence obtained by OIOS indicated that the UNRWA staff members may have been involved in the armed attacks of 7 October 2023. The employment of these individuals will be terminated in the interests of the Agency.

OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that ongoing bombardment and hostilities continue to kill, injure and displace Palestinians – as well as damage and destroy the homes and infrastructure they rely on.

In just the past 48 hours, three schools sheltering displaced people in Gaza City were reportedly hit, resulting in dozens of casualties, according to Palestinian Civil Defence. Partners on the ground are assessing the needs of people who fled and have been providing assistance.

Meanwhile, a new analysis by the UN Satellite Centre – UNOSAT – found that as of a month ago, 63 per cent of structures in Gaza had been damaged.

Yesterday, the Israeli military issued a new evacuation order for people living in areas of southern Khan Younis and northern Rafah to immediately move westwards to Al Mawasi. The UN partners are tracking population movements in Gaza and estimate that more than 11,000 people had been living in the areas affected by this evacuation order.

The UN calls once again for all parties to the conflict to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, including by taking constant care to spare civilians and civilian objects. This includes allowing civilians to leave for safer areas and allowing their return as soon as circumstances allow. People must be able to receive humanitarian assistance, whether they move or stay.

As the violence continues, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is deepening. The UN’s partners are now reporting a surge in malnutrition levels among children in northern Gaza last month. They noted a more than 300 per cent increase in July — when more than 650 cases of acute malnutrition were diagnosed — compared to May, when 145 such cases were detected.

Nutrition conditions are worsening due to access constraints, shortages in essential supplies, limited availability of fresh produce and meat, poor water and sanitation services and spreading diseases.

For example, acute supply shortages meant that just 8 per cent of the nearly 50,000 children whom our partners had been aiming to reach in northern Gaza were able to receive those supplies last month.

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