Palestinian schoolgirls in Gaza City. Reuters
Palestinian schoolgirls in Gaza City. Reuters
Palestinian schoolgirls in Gaza City. Reuters
Palestinian schoolgirls in Gaza City. Reuters

Gaza school had 'man-made cavity' underneath, angering UN donors


Nada AlTaher
  • English
  • Arabic

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said that it found a “man-made cavity” underneath one of its schools in Gaza.

The agency “protested strongly to the relevant authorities” to express “outrage and condemnation” over the presence of the structure.

“In accordance with UNRWA protocols, the agency immediately cordoned off the area and swiftly took the necessary measures to render the school safe, including permanently sealing the cavity,” it said.

“The presence of a man-made cavity underneath the grounds of an UNRWA school is a serious violation of the agency’s neutrality and a breach of international law. Moreover, it exposes children and agency staff to significant security and safety risks.”

Some observers and analysts of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict accuse Hamas of hiding weapons in civilian infrastructure.

Hamas has not commented on the UN findings, while a number of other militant groups operate in Gaza.

Two Palestinian girls, left, sit outside an UNRWA school before attending first day of class in Gaza City, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018. AP Photo
Two Palestinian girls, left, sit outside an UNRWA school before attending first day of class in Gaza City, Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018. AP Photo

Last year, UNRWA said “a cavity and a possible tunnel” were found under the UNRWA Zaitoun Preparatory and Elementary Boys' School after an Israeli strike caused damage to the civilian facility.

The school was declared an emergency shelter during the bloody 11-day war with Israel.

Short of naming Hamas as the group responsible for the underground structures, UNRWA condemned “the existence and potential use by Palestinian armed groups of such tunnels”.

UNRWA provides support for 1.4 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza.

In pictures: conflict in Gaza in 2022

What you as a drone operator need to know

A permit and licence is required to fly a drone legally in Dubai.

Sanad Academy is the United Arab Emirate’s first RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) training and certification specialists endorsed by the Dubai Civil Aviation authority.

It is responsible to train, test and certify drone operators and drones in UAE with DCAA Endorsement.

“We are teaching people how to fly in accordance with the laws of the UAE,” said Ahmad Al Hamadi, a trainer at Sanad.

“We can show how the aircraft work and how they are operated. They are relatively easy to use, but they need responsible pilots.

“Pilots have to be mature. They are given a map of where they can and can’t fly in the UAE and we make these points clear in the lectures we give.

“You cannot fly a drone without registration under any circumstances.”

Larger drones are harder to fly, and have a different response to location control. There are no brakes in the air, so the larger drones have more power.

The Sanad Academy has a designated area to fly off the Al Ain Road near Skydive Dubai to show pilots how to fly responsibly.

“As UAS technology becomes mainstream, it is important to build wider awareness on how to integrate it into commerce and our personal lives,” said Major General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief, Dubai Police.

“Operators must undergo proper training and certification to ensure safety and compliance.

“Dubai’s airspace will undoubtedly experience increased traffic as UAS innovations become commonplace, the Forum allows commercial users to learn of best practice applications to implement UAS safely and legally, while benefitting a whole range of industries.”

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Updated: December 01, 2022, 6:51 AM`