Inquiry demanded by Israeli army after publicizing footage depicting armed individuals near UN compound in Gaza.
Video unveiled by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) displays armed individuals near UN labeled automobiles at a UNRWA infrastructure center in Rafah on Tuesday, according to CNN. This site was a crucial point for aid distribution. The IDF claims the footage was taken on May 11, though CNN cannot confirm this independently.
UNRWA, the major UN agency operating in Gaza, expressed uncertainty over the clip's authenticity and content but believes it could be an UNRWA building cleared out just last week.
"UNRWA is unable to verify the authenticity or the content of the video. However, it is likely that this video shows an UNRWA warehouse that was evacuated last week," said UNRWA spokeswoman Juliette Touma in a statement. "URNWA condemns the use of UN facilities by any faction involved in the conflict for military/combat purposes. We've repeatedly demanded investigations and accountability for intentionally disregarding UN staff lives, facilities, and operations," Touma added. "We insist on the respect and neutrality of UN installations. No one should be allowed to possess or use weapons in a UN facility."
Touma mentioned that UNRWA employees had to vacate the area last week "for their safety" following evacuation orders from the Israeli military. They left behind vehicles and flour.
The Israeli military revealed "COGAT", the Israeli agency responsible for managing humanitarian assistance to Gaza, passed the military's findings to "senior officials in the international community", including UN representatives.
"This is an unsettling trend," declared IDF spokesman Maj. Nir Dinar to CNN. "It's not the first time we've witnessed armed personnel present in UN facilities and vehicles," he continued.
Dinar explained that the Israeli military did not target the militants or their vehicles as they were within a UN facility and near UN personnel. But the IDF has previously launched attacks on UN facilities, one of which occurred at eastern Rafah's center in March, a video of which was released by the IDF.
It remains unknown whether the armed individuals in the IDF drone footage represent Hamas or other militant groups in Gaza.
The IDF shared the footage one day after a UN worker was slain and another was injured following a UN-branded auto they were riding in being struck in Rafah, according to the UN. The UN claims an Israeli tank fired upon the automobile, and the Israeli military asserted the situation is "under review".
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The international community was made aware of the findings by COGAT, the Israeli agency responsible for managing humanitarian aid to Gaza, regarding armed individuals near UN facilities in Gaza. This troubling incident in the Middle East has raised concerns about the safety and neutrality of UN installations worldwide.
Source: edition.cnn.com
