A UN relief agency that has been catering to the basic needs of over ten lakh refugees in Gaza has accused Hamas of forcefully confiscating relief material meant for the needy.
“Over 3,500 blankets and 406 food parcels were confiscated from a distribution store in Gaza by police personnel”, spokesman for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Christopher Gunness, said.
“This took place after UNRWA staff had earlier refused to hand over the aid supplies to the Hamas run Ministry of social Affairs”, Gunneess added.
He charged Hamas policemen with breaking into the agency’s warehouse and forcefully seizing relief material meant for distribution among 500 needy families.
“UNRWA condemns in strongest terms the confiscation of aid supplies and demands that it is returned immediately”, the spokesman said without stating what steps the agency would take if its requests were ignored.
“Our officials were on the ground overseeing the delivery of our aid and taking all possible steps to avoid its diversion”, he said.
Humanitarian bodies have warned of a crisis-like situation in Gaza if necessary help is not provided to the residents recovering from a 22 day Israeli offensive.
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