Head of UN relief agency alarmed by plight of Palestinians in refugee camps

The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Peter Hansen, called on Israel today to provide access to two camps in the town of Tulkarem, which had been the site of violent and deadly clashes after incursions by Israeli Security Forces earlier this week.

“Many refugees have informed me about the dire situation in Tulkarem camp, where there have been many reported deaths and injuries,” said Commissioner-General Hansen, who visited the area today. “As soon as we can reach the camp we will be able to accurately assess the situation and provide emergency relief and medical services to those in need.”

Since 6 March, there have been 15 confirmed fatalities in Tulkarem, but the total number of injured cannot be determined until UNRWA and other humanitarian organizations are allowed into the area. The Israeli authorities have repeatedly denied access despite urgent and repeated requests by the agencies to evacuate the wounded.

During his tour of a hospital in Tulkarem, the Commissioner General expressed dismay at the apparently indiscriminate shooting from helicopter gunships at the camp population, noting that there were many women and children among the wounded.

According to UNRWA, there have also been “confirmed reports that male refugees over 16 years of age in Tulkarem camp have been rounded up and detained in one of the UNRWA schools in the camp, and some have been arrested and taken away.”

Mr. Hansen also echoed UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s call on Israel to fully investigate Thursday’s killing of an UNRWA staff member who had been shot dead while riding in an ambulance.

As many as five ambulances have been hit by Israeli gunfire within the last 24 hours, according to UNRWA, which said this trend “seemed to indicate a disturbing pattern of targeting ambulances.”