EAST JERUSALEM /PNN /

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the West Bank is deeply concerned by the impact of the ongoing Israeli Security Forces (ISF) operation which commenced this morning in the densely populated Jenin refugee camp. This follows another operation in the campon 19 June, that left four Palestinians killed and 91 others injured.

News coming from Jenin reported that a large number of Israeli Security Forces surrounded and entered Jenin camp for Palestine Refugees, which led to heavy armed clashes in the targeted area between Palestinian armed actors and the ISF.

The operation led to the deaths of eight Palestinians (among them five Palestine Refugees) and the wounding of 50, according to initial reports from the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health. In addition, extensivedamage to the camp infrastructure was reported, including damage to its water network. Water and electricity services have been interrupted in large areas of the camp, leaving camp residents unable to move from their homes. Many are in urgent need of food, drinking water and milk powder for children.

UNRWA runs 10 installations, operated by 90 Agency staff members in Jenin camp. All UNRWA installations, including four schools and one health centre, were unable to operate due to the heavy exchange of fire.

UNRWA cannot yet confirm if any of its installations were affected, nor can the Agency confirm the final number of casualties among Palestine Refugees in Jenin camp.

Urgent action is required to ensure those injured have access to medical care. UNRWA repeats its call to all parties to break this cycle of increasing violence, which dangerously fuels instability.