4 sept 2015
Lebanon's Hamas representative, Ali Baraka, on Thursday discussed with chief of political affairs at UN special coordinator's office in Lebanon, Anwar Darkazally, several issues concerning the situation in the Palestinian refugee camps in the country.
Baraka briefed the UN official on the latest developments in the Palestinian arena, especially the recent unfortunate events that occurred in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon.
The Hamas official also highlighted his Movement's keenness on the security of the Palestinian refugee camps and the protection of the Palestinian presence in the country.
He asked Darkazally to put UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon in the picture of the tragic humanitarian suffering endured by the Palestinian refugee who fled the Syrian war and to urge him to seriously work on extending help to the host Arab countries.
Baraka briefed the UN official on the latest developments in the Palestinian arena, especially the recent unfortunate events that occurred in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon.
The Hamas official also highlighted his Movement's keenness on the security of the Palestinian refugee camps and the protection of the Palestinian presence in the country.
He asked Darkazally to put UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon in the picture of the tragic humanitarian suffering endured by the Palestinian refugee who fled the Syrian war and to urge him to seriously work on extending help to the host Arab countries.
3 sept 2015
The Action Group for Palestinians in Syria (AGPS) reported that 50 Palestinian refugees were killed across Syria over the past month.
In its monthly report, the AGPS said that 14 Palestinians were killed by sniper fire, 6 others were tortured to death, 17 were killed during clashes, while 8 drowned on their way to Europe.
Two Palestinians starved to death due to the very difficult living conditions and siege imposed on Palestinian camps, while four others were killed for un-revealed reasons.
Since the outbreak of the ongoing events in Syrian, 3001 Palestinian refugees were killed, the group concluded.
In its monthly report, the AGPS said that 14 Palestinians were killed by sniper fire, 6 others were tortured to death, 17 were killed during clashes, while 8 drowned on their way to Europe.
Two Palestinians starved to death due to the very difficult living conditions and siege imposed on Palestinian camps, while four others were killed for un-revealed reasons.
Since the outbreak of the ongoing events in Syrian, 3001 Palestinian refugees were killed, the group concluded.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East, UNRWA, Wednesday announced that it is to provide more than US $800,000 to 239 families badly affected during the recent Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip.
UNRWA said in a press release that it will allocate $201,768 of that money to repair damaged houses and $415,628 for reconstruction. $236,000 will be allocated for rental subsidies during the period between January and August 2015.
It also confirmed that those families will be able to receive their dues through local banks before the end of the month.
The statement went on to say that the financing of the special aid for housing has been earmarked for specific purposes by donors and cannot be used for basic services such as education funds. With this contribution, the organization provides vital, much needed support for Palestinian refugees, but the general budget of UNRWA still faces a deficit which is estimated at $22.1 million.
The organization explained that emergency accommodation funds, including those dedicated to repairing damaged housing, reconstruction and solutions for temporary housing support, continue to be a top priority in terms of the agency remaining committed to supporting the affected families, however, it needs new funding to continue the cash assistance for the housing program.
UNRWA said in a press release that it will allocate $201,768 of that money to repair damaged houses and $415,628 for reconstruction. $236,000 will be allocated for rental subsidies during the period between January and August 2015.
It also confirmed that those families will be able to receive their dues through local banks before the end of the month.
The statement went on to say that the financing of the special aid for housing has been earmarked for specific purposes by donors and cannot be used for basic services such as education funds. With this contribution, the organization provides vital, much needed support for Palestinian refugees, but the general budget of UNRWA still faces a deficit which is estimated at $22.1 million.
The organization explained that emergency accommodation funds, including those dedicated to repairing damaged housing, reconstruction and solutions for temporary housing support, continue to be a top priority in terms of the agency remaining committed to supporting the affected families, however, it needs new funding to continue the cash assistance for the housing program.
A group of Palestinian refugees in Sweden have been rallying outside of Malmo’s department of refugee affairs for the fourth week running to demand permanent asylum.
The Palestinian sit-inners have been identified as refugees who have joined their parents across the European continent after they were displaced from Iraq in the wake of the 2003 war.
The protesters said they have been taking refuge in Sweden for more than four years and that their number does not exceed 320.
The rally-goers maintaining vigil in Sweden’s southern city of Malmo launched distress signals over the agony and harsh conditions they have been made to endure ever since they were deported from Iraq.
The Palestinian sit-inners have been identified as refugees who have joined their parents across the European continent after they were displaced from Iraq in the wake of the 2003 war.
The protesters said they have been taking refuge in Sweden for more than four years and that their number does not exceed 320.
The rally-goers maintaining vigil in Sweden’s southern city of Malmo launched distress signals over the agony and harsh conditions they have been made to endure ever since they were deported from Iraq.
2 sept 2015
A human rights campaigner active in Palestinian refugees' rights on Tuesday slammed the UNRWA and the UN Chief, Ban Ki-moon, for having remained mum over the violent Israeli assault on the Jenin refugee camp.
Ali Huweidi, regional coordinator for the London-based Palestine Return Center, urged the UNRWA and the UN Chief to issue a statement condemning Israeli break-ins on the Jenin refugee camp, saying this is a legitimate and necessary step to expose Israel’s arbitrary practices and violations of Palestinian refugees' rights.
He said according to international laws, the Israeli occupation is responsible for the safety of Palestinian civilians residing in places it occupies.
According to the activist, the increasing assaults on the Palestinian refugee camps in the occupied Palestinian territories, along with those in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza, require an urgent intervention to provide physical protection for Palestinian refugees.
The Jenin refugee camp is one among 19 refugee camps set up in the occupied West Bank. Established in 1953 on a Palestinian land tract covering about half a square kilometer, the Jenin refugee camp has been a shelter to over 16,000 Palestinian refugees.
Ali Huweidi, regional coordinator for the London-based Palestine Return Center, urged the UNRWA and the UN Chief to issue a statement condemning Israeli break-ins on the Jenin refugee camp, saying this is a legitimate and necessary step to expose Israel’s arbitrary practices and violations of Palestinian refugees' rights.
He said according to international laws, the Israeli occupation is responsible for the safety of Palestinian civilians residing in places it occupies.
According to the activist, the increasing assaults on the Palestinian refugee camps in the occupied Palestinian territories, along with those in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza, require an urgent intervention to provide physical protection for Palestinian refugees.
The Jenin refugee camp is one among 19 refugee camps set up in the occupied West Bank. Established in 1953 on a Palestinian land tract covering about half a square kilometer, the Jenin refugee camp has been a shelter to over 16,000 Palestinian refugees.
1 sept 2015
Head of Hamas’s refugee department Issam Adwan said Tuesday that Gaza Strip is in need of 200 new UNRWA schools.
Adwan stressed that the establishment of these schools comes in the context of calling for equal treatment between Gaza and the UNRWA’s four other operational areas (West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon).
UNRWA has recently revealed that this year the agency's 250 schools in Gaza were attended by nearly 250,000 children, while 250,000 students were distributed in 450 UN schools across all four fields of the agency's operation in the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
Earlier today, UNRWA said that its Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl, signed into agreement the first two components of a newly concluded $35 million projects package. The two components, worth $19.5 million, were signed with His Excellency Eng. Yousef Ibrahim Al Bassam, the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).
The first component, valued at $15 million, will support essential education and healthcare operations in Gaza. The second will provide funds for much needed maintenance to UNRWA facilities across all five fields of operation in Gaza, West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
Adwan stressed that the establishment of these schools comes in the context of calling for equal treatment between Gaza and the UNRWA’s four other operational areas (West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon).
UNRWA has recently revealed that this year the agency's 250 schools in Gaza were attended by nearly 250,000 children, while 250,000 students were distributed in 450 UN schools across all four fields of the agency's operation in the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
Earlier today, UNRWA said that its Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl, signed into agreement the first two components of a newly concluded $35 million projects package. The two components, worth $19.5 million, were signed with His Excellency Eng. Yousef Ibrahim Al Bassam, the Vice Chairman and Managing Director of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD).
The first component, valued at $15 million, will support essential education and healthcare operations in Gaza. The second will provide funds for much needed maintenance to UNRWA facilities across all five fields of operation in Gaza, West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
31 aug 2015
The Union of UNRWA Employees has declared the suspension of all protest steps and the resumption of work on Monday at all schools with 38 students in each classroom in order to give a chance for talks with the agency.
Member of the union Wajdi Jawdeh stated in press remarks to the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the union held a meeting on Sunday with representatives of popular committees and families of students and agreed on freezing all protest steps until the UNRWA commissioner-general returns to Gaza on the ninth of September.
Jawdeh added the attendees also agreed on retaining the old number of students in each classroom as a condition for the return of students to the schools.
He warned that if the agency's commissioner-general did not approve the demands tabled by the union, the protest steps would resume.
Students and teachers recently refrained from going to UNRWA schools in protest at overcrowding in their classrooms and the agency's decision to increase the number of students from 38 to 50.
Member of the union Wajdi Jawdeh stated in press remarks to the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the union held a meeting on Sunday with representatives of popular committees and families of students and agreed on freezing all protest steps until the UNRWA commissioner-general returns to Gaza on the ninth of September.
Jawdeh added the attendees also agreed on retaining the old number of students in each classroom as a condition for the return of students to the schools.
He warned that if the agency's commissioner-general did not approve the demands tabled by the union, the protest steps would resume.
Students and teachers recently refrained from going to UNRWA schools in protest at overcrowding in their classrooms and the agency's decision to increase the number of students from 38 to 50.
29 aug 2015
Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, said UNRWA Commissioner-General’s confirmations that the financial crisis has come to an end makes the continuation of reduction in UNRWA’s services unjustified.
In a statement on Saturday, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri asked the UNRWA Commissioner-General to cancel reduction decisions which negatively impact students as well as UNRWA’s employees.
In a statement on Saturday, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri asked the UNRWA Commissioner-General to cancel reduction decisions which negatively impact students as well as UNRWA’s employees.
28 aug 2015
A generous pledge of US$15 million from the Government of Kuwait will help enable UNRWA to open its schools on time for the 2015/16 school year, UNRWA said in a statement issued Friday.
UNRWA had been facing a budget deficit of US$101 million in its General Fund that risked delaying the school year for the Agency’s 685 schools, potentially affecting half a million Palestine refugee children in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, the statement reads.
“Education is central to the identity and dignity of Palestine refugees and of the 500,000 boys and girls whose future depends on learning and developing skills in our 685 schools,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl. “Despite the many challenges and hardships facing UNRWA students today, the contribution from the people and government of Kuwait allows the next generation of Palestine refugees to keep their future hopes alive.”
The Commissioner-General went on to add: “Therefore, on behalf of the Palestine refugees, and in particular the half a million children who will be starting the new academic year on time, I express my profound gratitude to the Government of Kuwait for their strong solidarity and generous contribution.”
Kuwait has long been an important and consistent donor to UNRWA. So far in 2015, they have donated US$15 million for Palestine refugees affected by the conflict in Syria, in addition to their annual contribution of US$2 million to core activities in March, the statement added.
UNRWA had been facing a budget deficit of US$101 million in its General Fund that risked delaying the school year for the Agency’s 685 schools, potentially affecting half a million Palestine refugee children in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, the statement reads.
“Education is central to the identity and dignity of Palestine refugees and of the 500,000 boys and girls whose future depends on learning and developing skills in our 685 schools,” said UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl. “Despite the many challenges and hardships facing UNRWA students today, the contribution from the people and government of Kuwait allows the next generation of Palestine refugees to keep their future hopes alive.”
The Commissioner-General went on to add: “Therefore, on behalf of the Palestine refugees, and in particular the half a million children who will be starting the new academic year on time, I express my profound gratitude to the Government of Kuwait for their strong solidarity and generous contribution.”
Kuwait has long been an important and consistent donor to UNRWA. So far in 2015, they have donated US$15 million for Palestine refugees affected by the conflict in Syria, in addition to their annual contribution of US$2 million to core activities in March, the statement added.
27 aug 2015
File picture shows Palestinian Fatah fighters in the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp outside the southern Lebanese port city of Sidon
Two people were killed when gunmen briefly opened fire in Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp, breaching a tense ceasefire, Palestinian sources said on Thursday.
A source from the Fateh faction said, accoridng to AFP, that a Fateh official and a civilian had been killed in fire by "unidentified gunmen" overnight, in Ain al-Hilweh, southern Lebanon.
The breach threatened a ceasefire that ended several days of clashes between Fateh and an Islamist group in the camp.
Palestinian officials said the ceasefire remained in place despite the breach and that high-level contacts were made during the night to ensure it would be respected.
Ain al-Hilweh is an impoverished, overcrowded camp near the coastal city of Sidon, home to some 61,000 Palestinians, including 6,000 who fled the war in Syria.
By long-standing convention, Lebanon's army does not enter Palestinian refugee camps, meaning many have turned into lawless areas.
Two people were killed when gunmen briefly opened fire in Lebanon's largest Palestinian refugee camp, breaching a tense ceasefire, Palestinian sources said on Thursday.
A source from the Fateh faction said, accoridng to AFP, that a Fateh official and a civilian had been killed in fire by "unidentified gunmen" overnight, in Ain al-Hilweh, southern Lebanon.
The breach threatened a ceasefire that ended several days of clashes between Fateh and an Islamist group in the camp.
Palestinian officials said the ceasefire remained in place despite the breach and that high-level contacts were made during the night to ensure it would be respected.
Ain al-Hilweh is an impoverished, overcrowded camp near the coastal city of Sidon, home to some 61,000 Palestinians, including 6,000 who fled the war in Syria.
By long-standing convention, Lebanon's army does not enter Palestinian refugee camps, meaning many have turned into lawless areas.
The UNRWA said that about 3,000 Palestinians fled from Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in the Lebanese city of Sidon to other areas as a result of the armed clashes between militant groups.
In a press release on Wednesday, the UNRWA expressed its deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp, and reiterated its appeal to the warring parties to exercise restraint and respect their obligations under the international law towards the civilians.
The UN agency affirmed its failure to confirm the number of fatalities and casualties in the camp because it has no means of accessing the camp or moving inside and around it.
The international body’s ability to provide basic services for the residents is also restricted, according to its statement.
In a press release on Wednesday, the UNRWA expressed its deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp, and reiterated its appeal to the warring parties to exercise restraint and respect their obligations under the international law towards the civilians.
The UN agency affirmed its failure to confirm the number of fatalities and casualties in the camp because it has no means of accessing the camp or moving inside and around it.
The international body’s ability to provide basic services for the residents is also restricted, according to its statement.
26 aug 2015
At least three people have been killed, and thousands displaced, in clashes between rival armed groups in Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp, Ain Al-Hilweh, near the southern port city of Sidon.
The clashes sparked between the Jund al-Sham Islamist group and members of the Fateh movement, on Monday, in the northern part of Ain al-Hilweh camp, and quickly spread, xausing dozens of families to flee the camp in fear for their lives.
According to the PNN, sources told Al Jazeera that three killed were on Fateh’s side. Several others were wounded and rushed to hospitals in Sidon.
Al Jazeera said that it was unclear just what sparked the clashes, and each side blamed the other.
The escalating rivalry between Jund al-Sham and Fateh has erupted into clashes several times over the past few months.
On Saturday, two Fatah members were killed when members of Jund al-Sham tried to kill a leading Fateh official.
Ma'an News Agency reported that thousands of Palestinians have been displaced by violent clashes in the camp.
“Ambulances have not been able to enter the camp because of the intensity of the fighting, and because they’re happening near the camp’s entrances,” one Palestinian source inside the camp told the AFP news agency, speaking on condition of anonymity.
UNRWA spokesman Christopher Gunness said that armed clashes in the camp have had a serious impact on the Palestine refugee community.
Despite reports of a ceasefire, as many as 3,000 Palestinians may have been displaced, Gunness said, with UNRWA having limited access and movement in and around the refugee camp.
"We are deeply concerned over reports that civilians are endangered and that our installations have been directly affected by the fighting," he said.
"UNRWA condemns any armed group that fails to respect its obligations under international law to protect civilians and to respect the inviolability of United Nations premises."
UNRWA, with its partners, has mobilized a humanitarian effort to provide food, medical assistance and shelter, and will continue to monitor the situation, Gunness added.
More than 450,000 Palestinians are registered in Lebanon with UNRWA. Most live in squalid conditions in 12 official refugee camps and face a variety of legal restrictions, including on their employment.
According to the PNN, the impoverished Ain al-Hilweh camp is home to more than 100,000 refugees, and has gained notoriety as a refuge for fugitives and for the settling of scores between factions.
The Lebanese army does not enter the camp, under a tacit deal agreed after the 1975-1990 civil war. Palestinian factions are responsible for security.
The clashes sparked between the Jund al-Sham Islamist group and members of the Fateh movement, on Monday, in the northern part of Ain al-Hilweh camp, and quickly spread, xausing dozens of families to flee the camp in fear for their lives.
According to the PNN, sources told Al Jazeera that three killed were on Fateh’s side. Several others were wounded and rushed to hospitals in Sidon.
Al Jazeera said that it was unclear just what sparked the clashes, and each side blamed the other.
The escalating rivalry between Jund al-Sham and Fateh has erupted into clashes several times over the past few months.
On Saturday, two Fatah members were killed when members of Jund al-Sham tried to kill a leading Fateh official.
Ma'an News Agency reported that thousands of Palestinians have been displaced by violent clashes in the camp.
“Ambulances have not been able to enter the camp because of the intensity of the fighting, and because they’re happening near the camp’s entrances,” one Palestinian source inside the camp told the AFP news agency, speaking on condition of anonymity.
UNRWA spokesman Christopher Gunness said that armed clashes in the camp have had a serious impact on the Palestine refugee community.
Despite reports of a ceasefire, as many as 3,000 Palestinians may have been displaced, Gunness said, with UNRWA having limited access and movement in and around the refugee camp.
"We are deeply concerned over reports that civilians are endangered and that our installations have been directly affected by the fighting," he said.
"UNRWA condemns any armed group that fails to respect its obligations under international law to protect civilians and to respect the inviolability of United Nations premises."
UNRWA, with its partners, has mobilized a humanitarian effort to provide food, medical assistance and shelter, and will continue to monitor the situation, Gunness added.
More than 450,000 Palestinians are registered in Lebanon with UNRWA. Most live in squalid conditions in 12 official refugee camps and face a variety of legal restrictions, including on their employment.
According to the PNN, the impoverished Ain al-Hilweh camp is home to more than 100,000 refugees, and has gained notoriety as a refuge for fugitives and for the settling of scores between factions.
The Lebanese army does not enter the camp, under a tacit deal agreed after the 1975-1990 civil war. Palestinian factions are responsible for security.
The Palestinian MP Mohamed Shehab said Tuesday that UNRWA’s decision to reduce its services was a plot to completely end its role as a prelude for the resettlement of Palestinian refugees in their host countries.
He warned the agency against attempting to implement an old plan to resettle refugees, referring to the large-scale resettlement scheme in Sinai in 1955.
MP Shehab said that the continued silence of the international community over UNRWA crisis confirms its complicity in the plot.
He stressed the seriousness of stopping UNRWA education services that represent 58% of the agency's budget.
He stressed the need for an urgent intervention of Arab and Islamic countries to put an end to the agency’s financial crisis and to foil the plots made over Palestinian refugees’ rights.
He warned the agency against attempting to implement an old plan to resettle refugees, referring to the large-scale resettlement scheme in Sinai in 1955.
MP Shehab said that the continued silence of the international community over UNRWA crisis confirms its complicity in the plot.
He stressed the seriousness of stopping UNRWA education services that represent 58% of the agency's budget.
He stressed the need for an urgent intervention of Arab and Islamic countries to put an end to the agency’s financial crisis and to foil the plots made over Palestinian refugees’ rights.
Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor called on the European countries to work on a just distribution of immigrants among them. It stressed the need to come up with fair solutions to the immigrants’ issue as a humanitarian crisis.
The Euro-Med Monitor called for opening the application to immigration from source countries and for offering moral solutions to the crisis of massive immigration.
The Monitor pointed out that 10,000 immigrants have crossed the Macedonian borders with Greece since last Friday. It said the Macedonian authorities have made a mistake by closing its borders for days in front of those immigrants.
Sandra Owen, official of illegal immigration at Euro-Med Monitor, said hundreds of immigrants were able to breach the prohibition imposed by the Macedonian authorities. They crossed the border by running in the open fields before Macedonia decided to open its borders after treating them toughly and injuring scores of those migrants.
In the same context, the Monitor slammed Hungary for the establishment of a security fence on the Hungarian-Serbian border in an attempt to keep the immigrants away of its lands.
The Euro-Med Monitor revealed that the number of illegal immigrants from the Middle East and Africa into Europe has at least reached 240,000 immigrants. The number is increasing every day whereas 2,300 of the immigrants died drowning in the Mediterranean since the beginning of the year.
The Euro-Med Monitor called for opening the application to immigration from source countries and for offering moral solutions to the crisis of massive immigration.
The Monitor pointed out that 10,000 immigrants have crossed the Macedonian borders with Greece since last Friday. It said the Macedonian authorities have made a mistake by closing its borders for days in front of those immigrants.
Sandra Owen, official of illegal immigration at Euro-Med Monitor, said hundreds of immigrants were able to breach the prohibition imposed by the Macedonian authorities. They crossed the border by running in the open fields before Macedonia decided to open its borders after treating them toughly and injuring scores of those migrants.
In the same context, the Monitor slammed Hungary for the establishment of a security fence on the Hungarian-Serbian border in an attempt to keep the immigrants away of its lands.
The Euro-Med Monitor revealed that the number of illegal immigrants from the Middle East and Africa into Europe has at least reached 240,000 immigrants. The number is increasing every day whereas 2,300 of the immigrants died drowning in the Mediterranean since the beginning of the year.
24 aug 2015
Around 225,000 Gazan schoolchildren were forced to return home, on Monday, after local staff at the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Gaza (UNRWA) went on strike on the first day of the new school year.
The strike comes amid a financial crisis in the agency that earlier threatened to delay the start of the school year.
"We didn’t want to suspend classes, but the administration of UNRWA pushed us to take that step," secretary general of the union of UNRWA employees, Raafat Hamdouna, said.
The union met with UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl on Sunday and said the "atmosphere wasn’t positive."
The union is protesting against overcrowding at UNRWA schools and unpaid vacations. At present, there are over 50 children in each classroom, with employees urging the agency to reduce the maximum capacity to 38.
Hamdouna said union members will protest in five locations across Gaza, including a sit-in strike inside UNRWA's Gaza City headquarters to be attended by 13,000 employees. There are protests in the West Bank planned for Thursday, he added.
For Palestinian refugees, the start of the school year came as a relief after UNRWA warned for weeks that it would have to delay the school year if it was unable to cover a $101 million deficit. The UN agency was only able to announce on Wednesday that the year would go ahead as scheduled, after it secured just short of $80 million in contributions against its deficit.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl affirmed the agency's commitment to its schools "because of how central education is to the identity and dignity of Palestine refugees." Around 1.2 million Palestinian children returned to school Monday for the start of the new school year in both Gaza and the West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Education said.
Out of a population of 1.8 million in the Gaza Strip, some 1.26 million are refugees, according to UN figures. UNRWA oversees education for most children -- some 225,000 in 245 schools.
Dozens of schools were damaged and affected by last summer's war between Palestinian militants and Israel.
In the occupied West Bank, children returned to school amid tributes to the 18-month-old boy killed last month along with his father when their home was firebombed by suspected Jewish extremists. The school in Douma, the Palestinian village in the West Bank where the incident occurred, was renamed after the toddler, Ali Saad Dawabsha. The school year in the village was symbolically reopened by prime minister Rami Hamdallah.
The boy's mother, Riham, taught at a school in a neighboring village. She remains in hospital with severe burns along with her other son, who is four.
"The students are asking for any news about their teacher," Ahlam al-Masri, the principal of her school, told AFP.
The strike comes amid a financial crisis in the agency that earlier threatened to delay the start of the school year.
"We didn’t want to suspend classes, but the administration of UNRWA pushed us to take that step," secretary general of the union of UNRWA employees, Raafat Hamdouna, said.
The union met with UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl on Sunday and said the "atmosphere wasn’t positive."
The union is protesting against overcrowding at UNRWA schools and unpaid vacations. At present, there are over 50 children in each classroom, with employees urging the agency to reduce the maximum capacity to 38.
Hamdouna said union members will protest in five locations across Gaza, including a sit-in strike inside UNRWA's Gaza City headquarters to be attended by 13,000 employees. There are protests in the West Bank planned for Thursday, he added.
For Palestinian refugees, the start of the school year came as a relief after UNRWA warned for weeks that it would have to delay the school year if it was unable to cover a $101 million deficit. The UN agency was only able to announce on Wednesday that the year would go ahead as scheduled, after it secured just short of $80 million in contributions against its deficit.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Pierre Krahenbuhl affirmed the agency's commitment to its schools "because of how central education is to the identity and dignity of Palestine refugees." Around 1.2 million Palestinian children returned to school Monday for the start of the new school year in both Gaza and the West Bank, the Palestinian Ministry of Education said.
Out of a population of 1.8 million in the Gaza Strip, some 1.26 million are refugees, according to UN figures. UNRWA oversees education for most children -- some 225,000 in 245 schools.
Dozens of schools were damaged and affected by last summer's war between Palestinian militants and Israel.
In the occupied West Bank, children returned to school amid tributes to the 18-month-old boy killed last month along with his father when their home was firebombed by suspected Jewish extremists. The school in Douma, the Palestinian village in the West Bank where the incident occurred, was renamed after the toddler, Ali Saad Dawabsha. The school year in the village was symbolically reopened by prime minister Rami Hamdallah.
The boy's mother, Riham, taught at a school in a neighboring village. She remains in hospital with severe burns along with her other son, who is four.
"The students are asking for any news about their teacher," Ahlam al-Masri, the principal of her school, told AFP.
UNRWA General Commissioner Pierre Krenpol said Monday the agency backtracked on an earlier decision to give school teachers a compulsory leave of absence without pay.
Pierre Krenpol said, in a press statement, the leave without pay was opted for as an alternative to work out the current financial crisis.
The UNRWA called on its recruited staff to never take any measures that might affect the agency’s potential to gather donations at such a critical time.
The statement called for the need to boost the educational process in Palestine, particularly on the first day of the scholastic year, which started on Monday.
Earlier, the UNRWA employees union in Gaza announced their decision to strike at nine a.m. on Monday in protest at recent arbitrary decisions taken by the agency as regards the start of the school year and the financial crisis, among other concerns.
Hamas: No justification for the UNRWA’s reduction of its services
Hamas Department of Refugee Affairs Sunday called on the international community and UNRWA to continue offering aid to and protecting right of Palestinian refugees till their return to their homeland from which they were forcibly displaced in 1948.
There is no justification for the reduction of UNRWA’s services provided to Palestinian refugees in its five fields of operations especially after its Commissioner-General declared UNRWA’s 2015 financial crisis is over, the statement said.
The department stressed the need of canceling the Commissioner-General’s recent decisions related to granting leaves to UNRWA’s employees without pay, and called for maintaining the students’ same numbers in classrooms.
The department also stressed its total rejection of reducing UNRWA’s health care services provided to Palestinian refugees.
The statement called on UNRWA to increase its employees’ number by 5% per year starting from next year.
The Department of Refugee Affairs also stressed the importance of using Palestinian Authority textbooks in UNRWA schools, as it helps save huge amounts of money and prevents any distortion to the Palestinian history and struggle.
The statement also called for improving UNRWA aid services to cover the Palestinian refugees’ increasing demands in light of their deteriorating living conditions.
The department concluded by calling on the Palestinian people to support the demands mentioned in its statement.
Pierre Krenpol said, in a press statement, the leave without pay was opted for as an alternative to work out the current financial crisis.
The UNRWA called on its recruited staff to never take any measures that might affect the agency’s potential to gather donations at such a critical time.
The statement called for the need to boost the educational process in Palestine, particularly on the first day of the scholastic year, which started on Monday.
Earlier, the UNRWA employees union in Gaza announced their decision to strike at nine a.m. on Monday in protest at recent arbitrary decisions taken by the agency as regards the start of the school year and the financial crisis, among other concerns.
Hamas: No justification for the UNRWA’s reduction of its services
Hamas Department of Refugee Affairs Sunday called on the international community and UNRWA to continue offering aid to and protecting right of Palestinian refugees till their return to their homeland from which they were forcibly displaced in 1948.
There is no justification for the reduction of UNRWA’s services provided to Palestinian refugees in its five fields of operations especially after its Commissioner-General declared UNRWA’s 2015 financial crisis is over, the statement said.
The department stressed the need of canceling the Commissioner-General’s recent decisions related to granting leaves to UNRWA’s employees without pay, and called for maintaining the students’ same numbers in classrooms.
The department also stressed its total rejection of reducing UNRWA’s health care services provided to Palestinian refugees.
The statement called on UNRWA to increase its employees’ number by 5% per year starting from next year.
The Department of Refugee Affairs also stressed the importance of using Palestinian Authority textbooks in UNRWA schools, as it helps save huge amounts of money and prevents any distortion to the Palestinian history and struggle.
The statement also called for improving UNRWA aid services to cover the Palestinian refugees’ increasing demands in light of their deteriorating living conditions.
The department concluded by calling on the Palestinian people to support the demands mentioned in its statement.
