UNRWA OPENS NEW GAZA CLINICS, TREATS THOUSANDS DAILY

MOSCOW, Feb 19 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is treating thousands of patients each day at newly opened medical facilities in the Gaza Strip, despite persistent shortages of fuel, equipment and medicines, spokesman Adnan Abu Hasna said, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti. 

The provision of any medical services in the Gaza Strip is hampered by the lack of medical equipment and materials, supplies and spare parts for desalination plants and sewage networks, as well as fuel shortages, the spokesman said.

"Despite all the obstacles, UNRWA has opened new patient reception points in Gaza City, in areas north of it and in the central part of the Gaza Strip. The Bureij camp alone receives around 18,000 patients daily at these health facilities," Abu Hasna said.

The spokesman warned that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip remains critical, adding that Israel is obstructing the work not only of UNRWA but also of other humanitarian organisations operating in the strip.

On January 20, the Israeli authorities demolished the UNRWA building in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem, amid allegations of the agency's ties to terrorism.

An Israeli flag was raised over the site during the operation. The Israeli Foreign Ministry argued that no UN activity had been conducted at the complex for over a year.

In January 2025, Israeli legislation banning UNRWA's activities came into effect. The Israeli authorities cited alleged evidence implicating a number of the agency's employees in the October 7 attack by Palestinian militants, as well as the alleged use of UNRWA infrastructure in the Gaza Strip for militant activities, as the basis for the law.

--BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI