DAMASCUS, Friday, May 17, 2019 (WAFA) – The  United Nations relief agency for Palestinian refugees Thursday condemned the killing of 10 civilians in rocket fire on the Palestinian refugee camp of Neirab close to Aleppo city in Syria.

“On Tuesday night, as families gathered to break their fasts for the Ramadan Iftar meal, several rockets hit the densely populated Neirab camp for Palestine refugees in Aleppo, killing at least ten civilians and wounding more than thirty,” a statement from Director of UNRWA Affairs in Syria Amanya Michael Ebye said.

“Among those killed were four children, the youngest just six years old. A number of the injured remain in critical condition,” the statement added.

Ebye added in the statement that the ongoing hostilities around the Neirab camp and the ensuing deteriorating security situation have forced UNRWA to suspend the six schools that it runs within the camp, impacting more than 3,000 children.

“Funerals took place throughout the night of Tuesday, and shops and services were closed on Wednesday in mourning. While UNRWA has opened its schools in Neirab camp ]Thursday[, it does so with the sad knowledge that three of its students will not be joining the final preparations for the end-of-year exams.”

UNRWA condemned “the killing and wounding of all civilians, including Palestine refugees” and called on “all parties to the conflict to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law, namely in taking all precautionary measures to ensure the protection of civilians during hostilities.”

“The   dramatic escalation in hostilities in north-western Syria leaves UNRWA concerned for an estimated 10–20,000 Palestine refugees who are displaced in that area. We join calls by other humanitarian actors in Syria for an end to the terrible suffering of civilians,” the statement added.

Located 13 km to the east of Aleppo, Neirab camp is one of the most densely populated camps for Palestine refugees in Syria. It is home to some 18,000 residents and has been affected by varying levels of hostilities throughout this eight-year long conflict. Over the past few years, a significant number of displaced people have sought safety within the camp, many of whom fled from nearby decimated Ein el Tal camp in 2013.

K.F.