East Jerusalem– The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is deeply distressed by preliminary reports of the shelling of the United Nations compound in Gaza City, which UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People managed until 13 October when UN staff vacated the premises.   

The shelling has reportedly resulted in a significant number of deaths and injuries.  

On 6 November UNDP reported that several hundred people seeking refuge had entered the compound, and there are indications that this number has since increased significantly.   

The ongoing tragedy of death and injury to civilians ensnared in this conflict is unacceptable and must stop.  

Civilians, civilian infrastructure, and the inviolability of UN facilities, must be respected and protected at all times. International humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution, must be respected and upheld.   

UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People was established through a resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 December 1978, calling upon UNDP “to improve the economic and social conditions of the Palestinian people”. We have been working in Gaza since 1989.  

For further information, please contact:  

Dylan Lowthian: UNDP Head of Media Relations dylan.lowthian@undp.org Tel: +1646 673 6350 

Musa Khalil: Head of Communication UNDP- PAPP musa.khalil@undp.org Tel: +972 6268200, Mobile: +972 5748761.   

For more information about UNDP/PAPP visit www.ps.undp.org