UNRWA operations in Jenin suspended indefinitely

UNRWA announced on Thursday the suspension of its operations indefinitely in the West Bank city of Jenin and its refugee camp beginning Friday. The organization called the step "regrettable" and said it came in response to "continued threats to our employees and staff in the area" without elaborating on the nature of the threats. The statement added that suspension of its operations includes relief and social services. An employment assistance office and the office of its refugee camp manager will also close. UNRWA said it could not offer services to refugees amidst an atmosphere of "violence and threats," adding that UNRWA employees and its facilities became unsafe in light of these threats. The organization expressed its commitment to responsibilities and to work with all of the involved parties including civil society and government authorities to overcome this obstacle swiftly. UNRWA also appealed to the Palestinian Authority to work on guaranteeing protection and security to all of the agency’s employees and its facilities in order to resume its work soon.