UN Mission in Gaza Attacked by Protesters Over Subsidies Suspension

Gaza protesters attacked the UN mission following the UNRWA decision to suspend subsidies for repairing houses and residential leases which had been received by dozens of thousands of Gaza residents.

GAZA, January 28 (Sputnik) — Dozens of Gaza residents tried to attack the UN mission in protest against the suspension of aid to people who lost their homes during the 2014 Israeli operation, RIA Novosti's correspondent reported Wednesday, citing witnesses.

The witnesses said that a peaceful protest dissolved into riots, which were later put down by police.

On Tuesday, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) announced it was suspending subsidies for repairing houses and residential leases which had been received by dozens of thousands of Gaza residents. The decision was due to lack of funding, as the UNRWA received only $135 million of the $720 million pledged by donors, according to Haaretz newspaper.

Some 96,000 houses were destroyed during the 2014 conflict. To date, the UNRWA provided aid to 66,000 families to repair their homes or find temporary alternatives. An additional $100 million is needed to provide the rest of the families with the necessary aid, Haaretz reported, citing the Gaza Director of Operations for the UNRWA, Robert Turner.

At present, about 20,000 people are still living in UN-run schools, according to the newspaper.

In July 2014, Israel launched a military operation in Gaza targeting the Hamas movement, accusing them of killing three Israeli teenagers. Operation Protective Edge, which Israel launched on July 7, resulted in the deaths of over 2,100 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 71 Israelis, according to UN estimates. The bulk of local infrastructure was destroyed in the operation.