The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have released drone footage claiming to show armed individuals alongside United Nations-marked vehicles at the United Nations compound in Gaza’s Rafah.
As per the IDF, the footage indicates that armed fighters were present in the central logistics compound of the UN Palestinian relief agency UNRWA in Rafah. The IDF has called on the UN to investigate the matter further.
The IDF alleges that on Saturday, troops identified fighters within the UNRWA compound in Rafah, where Israeli military operations have been ongoing for over a week. Israel’s Foreign Minister Israel Katz has taken to social media to accuse Hamas terrorists of firing at civilians from within the UNRWA facility adjacent to UN vehicles in Rafah. Katz has also demanded the resignation of UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.
Responding to the IDF’s claims, an UNRWA spokesperson stated that the agency is examining the footage and will provide information once available. However, media, while locating the footage, was unable to verify the identity of the armed individuals or the date the visuals were captured.
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Israel has been vocal in its criticism of UNRWA, accusing the agency of collaborating with Hamas in Gaza and calling for its disbandment. UNRWA, established to aid Palestinian refugees displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, vehemently denies these allegations.
Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari has stated that the IDF has forwarded the footage to senior members of the international community and urged the UN to investigate the connection between UNRWA logistics centers and what the IDF labels as “Hamas operatives” near UN vehicles.
Meanwhile, there is mounting international pressure on Israel to increase relief supplies into Gaza and alleviate the humanitarian crisis. Despite Israel’s readiness to allow unlimited humanitarian supplies into Gaza, concerns persist about the proper distribution of aid by UN relief agencies and other international bodies.
UN agencies have accused Israel of restricting access and impeding aid distribution to Gaza, despite warnings of famine.
As tensions escalate, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict in the region.
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