Quarterly Updates for (1 Apr 2019 — 30 Jun 2019)

Demolitions in East Jerusalem

                The United Nations’ humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territory Jamie McGoldrick called for an immediate halt to Israeli demolitions in East Jerusalem as demolitions of Palestinian-owned structures drastically rose in April (for more on the demolitions in East Jerusalem, see Palestinian-Israeli Conflict). 

Great March of Return wounded

                Humanitarian Coordinator McGoldrick also warned that a lack of funding for United Nations (UN) agencies working in Gaza is putting 1,700 Palestinians in Gaza at risk for amputations if they do not receive the necessary surgeries and rehabilitation. 29,000 Palestinians had been wounded during the protests at the time McGoldrick made his warning, 7,000 of which had been maimed by live fire. So far, 120 Great March of Return amputations have been made.

                The World Health Organization released a press statement on 12 April calling for the protection of health workers in Gaza as 446 attacks on Palestinian health workers were recorded since the beginning of the Great March of Return on 30 March 2018. These attacks have killed 3 health workers and injured 731. Israeli attacks have also damaged 104 ambulances, 6 other forms of health transportation, 1 hospital, and 5 other health facilities.

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

                UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East’s (UNRWA) commissioner general Pierre Krähenbühl defended UNRWA’s mandate after U.S. special representative for international negotiations Jason Greenblatt said at a UN Security Council meeting that UNRWA should be dismantled and host countries should be providing UNRWA services. Krähenbühl said that only 2 countries—the U.S. and Israel—are working to dismantle UNRWA, but that UNRWA’s mandate is protected by the UN General Assembly.