A refugee camp in the West Bank becomes a foretaste of UNRWA’s collapse

“They’re worried”

Two days after the Israeli operation, the internet was still not fixed and some major roads remained an obstacle course.

UNRWAhowever, activities have resumed.

“The first thing we do is make sure we announce that schools are open,” said the agency’s Jabr Abu Taqa.

“We know how important it is for us to take children to a place they consider a safe haven,” she added.

As she walked through the camp, many concerned residents approached her.

One of the young men pointed to the ransacked barbershop and asked, “What did you do to deserve this, barber? There is no more work, no money. What will he do?”

Mustafa Shibah, 70, worries about his grandchildren. He turned up the radio volume during air raids, but the little ones weren’t fooled.

“My granddaughter wakes up (after the airstrikes) and bursts into tears,” he said.

“They are worried, they have problems getting to school because of the (damaged) road.”

For him, threats against UNRWA are just the latest example of the suffering of the people of Nur Shams, who feel abandoned by Palestinians elsewhere.

“Why are we the only ones who have to pay while they dance in Ramallah and have a good life in Hebron?” he asked.

He said Israel “feels like it can do anything” and there is no one to stop it.