The secret mission to rescue the UN’s vital Palestinian refugee archive
Summary
In 2024, the United Nations agency Unrwa worked on a secret mission to save important Palestinian refugee archives from Gaza and East Jerusalem amid conflict and pressure. These documents contain vital records about Palestinian families dating back to 1948, and their preservation is crucial to Palestinian history and identity.Key Facts
- Unrwa is a UN agency that provides aid to Palestinian refugees and holds archives documenting Palestinian history.
- The archives include registration cards, birth, marriage, and death certificates from Palestinian refugees since 1948.
- The mission to save these archives lasted about 10 months and involved staff from several countries.
- The operation was dangerous due to conflict in Gaza, Israeli military actions, and political pressures.
- Israel has expressed hostility towards Unrwa, accusing it of promoting anti-Israel views and being linked to Hamas.
- The archives are important because they prove Palestinians lived in certain areas before 1948, which is key evidence in disputes over land and rights.
- Before this operation, many documents existed only on paper and were at risk of damage or destruction.
- Unrwa’s offices in Gaza were evacuated under Israeli orders during the 2023 conflict, complicating efforts to safeguard the archives.
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