Highlights
Violent clashes and attacks continued in the West Bank this month. A Palestinian man died of injuries sustained in an arson attack last month; three Palestinian men were shot and killed by Israeli forces, following three separate knife attacks against Israelis; numerous Palestinians were injured in clashes with security forces and in settler attacks; Palestinian rock throwing also injured Israelis.
The new school year started on 24 August for both UNRWA and Government schools despite initial fears that a financial crisis would delay the start for UNRWA students. Over 1.2 million Palestinian children returned to school, many of whom face hurdles and harassment on the way to and from school in the West Bank where children have to pass through check points and/or are physically and psychologically assaulted by settlers and Israeli soldiers..
182 Palestinians in the West Bank were displaced in the month of August due to demolitions of Palestinian owned structures by the Israeli Authorities, executed for lack of Israeli-issued building permits. Since the beginning of the year, 495 Palestinians, including 277 children, have been displaced by demolitions in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
International Youth Day was celebrated between 10 and 19 August in Palestine. Adolescents from UNICEF-supported projects participated in various community initiatives. Adolescents in Gaza organized a press conference on their activities in Khuzaa IDP shelter and their messages to the world. 26,971 adolescents have participated in the programme in 2015.
The WASH Cluster is providing emergency water supply for vulnerable communities following the shutdown of the Gaza Power Plant on 20 July. At least 130,000 litres were distributed to 80 water and wastewater installations, and work is ongoing. Of the 250,000 litres of fuel sought by the CMWU to continue operating the WASH services after the shutdown of the Gaza Power Plant, the WASH Cluster was able to secure 150,000 litres this month, leaving a shortfall of 100,000 litres.
UNICEF supported a 21-year-old Palestinian female student and a 22- year-old Jordanian male student to represent the voice of Arab youth at a Youth Roundtable during the high-level World Assembly of Women (WAW!2015) held in Tokyo on 29 August. Both youth are active volunteers in their communities for positive social change.