LATEST ISRAELI OPERATION LEAVES 575 PALESTINIANS HOMELESS

Latest Israeli Operation Leaves 575 Palestinians Homeless

(Reissued as received.)

GAZA, 25 May (UNRWA) -- The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has completed its initial assessment of the numbers of homes demolished or damaged beyond repair during the latest Israeli military operation in Rafah.

From 18 May until 23 May a total of 45 buildings in the Tel Sultan, Brazil and Salam quarters of Rafah were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable.  These buildings housed 98 families or 575 individuals.

This latest round of demolitions came on top of what had already been one of the worst months of the intifada in Rafah.  In total, from 1 May until 23 May, 155 buildings, housing 360 families, or 1,960 individuals, have been demolished in Rafah.

Since the start of the intifada, 1,354 buildings have been demolished in Rafah, affecting 13,175 people.

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