A summary execution among more than 310 UNRWA staff killed in Gaza.
Based on information recently made available to UNRWA, our colleague Kamal left his home in Rafah on 23 March, wearing his UN vest, and driving a clearly marked UN vehicle. Within an hour, UNRWA lost contact with him. His whereabouts unknown for a week.
On 30 March, Kamal's body was discovered near a mass grave, alongside the human remains of the PRCS humanitarian workers killed by the Israeli Forces. Kamal was killed through one or multiple blows to the back of his skull. He was then buried next to the other PRCS team members.
Despite several requests from UNRWA to the Government of Israel, no response was directly received on Kamal's death.
Kamal worked with UNRWA for over 20 years. He left his wife and children behind. He is one case too many. UNRWA teams are not a target.
Impunity opens the door to more atrocities.
We call for independent investigations into Kamal's killing and all other UNRWA staff killed.
UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.
UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.
UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.
