GAZA, February 4, 2009 (WAFA)- Hamas militias seized, Tuesday, aid to be distributed on Gazan families from The United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA)’s warehouses.

In a press released issued, Wednesday, UNRWA condemned  in the strongest terms the confiscation of its aid supplies and has demanded that it is returned immediately.

The Agency explained that the militias seized over 3,500 blankets and 406 food parcels from an UNRWA distribution store at Al-Shate’ (the Beach) Refugee Camp in Gaza. This took place after UNRWA staff had earlier refused to hand over the aid supplies to the Hamas militias, who, subsequently, broke into the warehouse and seized the aid by force. The aid was due to be distributed to five hundred families in the area.

UNRWA has a strict system of monitoring aid delivery and ensuring that its assistance reaches only the intended beneficiaries. Our officials were on the ground overseeing the delivery of our aid and taking all possible steps to avoid its diversion.