BEIRUT,

¡°Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA received alarming reports that armed actors continue to occupy its installations including a school compound in Ein El Hilweh Palestine refugee camp in the south of Lebanon. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA facilities have reportedly been damaged by the recent fighting in the camp.

¡°The compound has four Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA schools that normally provide education to 3,200 Palestine Refugee children.

¡°This is a grave violation of the inviolability of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ premises under international law, which compromises?the neutrality of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA installations and undermines the safety and security of our staff and Palestine Refugees.

¡°Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA strongly condemns these acts.

¡°All Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA facilities, including schools, must be protected at all times. Schools are meant to be a sanctuary for children and zones of peace where children learn and play. They must never be used for armed conflict, clashes, violence and fighting.

¡°Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA urges all relevant actors to immediately vacate its premises so that the Agency can restore critical services and the delivery of assistance to Palestine Refugees in need.¡±