HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NOON BRIEFING
BY MARIE OKABE
DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
Thursday, November 8, 2007
www.un.org/News/ossg/hilites/hilites_arch_view.asp?HighID=949
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SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS ABUSE OF U.N. FACILITIES;
URGES AVOIDANCE OF ACTIONS ENDANGERING CIVILIAN LIVES

In response to questions at briefings over the past two days about reports
that Palestinian militants last week launched rockets at Israel from a
school run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the
Near East (UNRWA), the UNRWA Commissioner-General spoke about this
yesterday, and the Secretary-General has asked that UNRWA fully investigate
this incident.

According to their inquiry, the school had been evacuated at the time of the
incident to ensure the safety of the staff and children during an Israeli
military incursion. While the school was empty, militants entered the
compound and fired rockets at Israel.

The Secretary-General condemns this abuse of UN facilities, which is a
serious violation of the UN's privileges and immunities.

He calls on all involved in this conflict to avoid actions that endanger the
lives of civilians, especially children, and that put at risk UNRWA's
ability to carry out its humanitarian mission.