07/28/2011

News / Camp attack will not deter world record attempt by Gazas children

28 July 2011 –
The United Nations has condemned an attack on its summer camp facility in Gaza and vowed that an attempt by thousands of Palestinian children to break a world record for kite flying will go on as planned today.

According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), 10 men attacked and vandalized the facility in north-west Gaza early Thursday. The attackers damaged a large billboard, burnt a UN flag and torched part of the stage.

None of the UN security personnel at the venue was harmed, the agency added.

“We condemn this attack, which is an attack on the children of Gaza as much as on the United Nations,” UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness said in a statement.

“We call on the authorities in Gaza to investigate and bring those responsible to account. We will repair and rebuild the damaged infrastructure and go ahead with the event as planned today,” he added.

As part of this year’s Summer Games, more than 12,000 children will attempt to smash the world record for kite flying today. This comes after they broke three world records in the past several weeks – the highest number flying parachutes from the ground, the largest number of people dribbling footballs and creating the largest ever hand painting.

This is the fifth year that UNRWA has organized the Summer Games – which include sports, arts and other activities – to provide a recreational outlet for an estimated 250,000 children in Gaza. This year’s games coincide with the fifth year of the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=39168&Cr=Gaza&Cr1=

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