JERUSALEM, June 15, 2016 (WAFA) – The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has strongly condemned the parties responsible for two explosions in the town of Sayyida Zeinab, near Damascus, on 11 June 2016.

One of the two explosions claimed the lives of 14 civilians, including five Palestinian refugees, and injured over a hundred.

“This is the fourth such attack in Sayyida Zeinab since January this year. A pattern has emerged of the deliberate targeting of civilians in this area. The perpetrators of these outrageous acts deserve the strongest denunciation,” the UNRWA said. “UNRWA staff express their sincere condolences to the bereaved Syrian and Palestinian families.

The Palestine refugees killed were five year-old Younes Awadallah al-Najjar and his 12 year-old brother Imad Awadallah al-Najjar, 18 year-old Taha Ahmed Sharqi, 45 year-old Mohammed Abd al-Ghaffar Abu al-Haijeh, and 44 year-old Mahmoud Hassan Tayym. Fourteen Palestine refugees with ages ranging from 10 months to 60 years are among the wounded.

The international groups said the incidents on 11 June took place in a broader and deeply concerning context of significant escalation of the armed conflict in several areas in Syria, including Aleppo governorate and rural Damascus.

“During the first week of June, two Palestine refugees were killed and a third was injured in Aleppo city. The lives and safety of Palestine refugees in Khan Eshieh camp in southern rural Damascus continue to be gravely endangered by recurrent armed conflict involving the frequent use of artillery,” the group added.

“The deliberate targeting of civilians, including Palestine refugees, is prohibited by international law and must cease. It is imperative that all sides respect and comply with their international humanitarian law obligation to protect civilians.”

M.N