The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said it is deeply concerned by the impact of the ongoing Israeli assault which commenced on Monday morning in the densely populated Jenin refugee camp.

UNRWA said the raid follows another operation in the camp on 19 June, that left four Palestinians killed and 91 others injured.

News coming from Jenin reported that a large number of Israeli Security Forces surrounded and entered Jenin camp for Palestine Refugees, which led to heavy clashes in the targeted area.

The operation led to the death of eight Palestinians (among them five Palestine Refugees) and the wounding of 50, according to initial reports from the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health.

In addition, extensive damage to the camp infrastructure was reported, including damage to its water network. Water and electricity services have been interrupted in large areas of the camp, leaving camp residents unable to move from their homes. Many are in urgent need of food, drinking water and milk powder for children.

UNRWA runs 10 installations, operated by 90 Agency staff members in Jenin camp. All UNRWA installations, including four schools and one health center, were unable to operate due to the heavy exchange of fire.  

UNRWA called for urgent action to ensure those injured have access to medical care and urged all parties to break this cycle of increasing violence, which dangerously fuels instability in the region.