The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) says it has relocated its centre of operations and international staff to southern Gaza.

UNRWA Director of Communications, Juliette Touma, made the announcement, urging the Israeli authorities to protect all civilians in UNRWA shelters including schools, saying they are UN facilities, and must never come under attack in accordance with international humanitarian law. 

The UNRWA announcement comes following an order by Israel that all Palestinians evacuate the north of Gaza within 24 hours. 

Several persons have condemned Israel’s warning as this relocation would affect about 1.1 million people.