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“UNRWA strongly and unequivocally condemns the group or groups responsible for this flagrant violation of the inviolability of its premises under international law.

“Palestinian civilians in Gaza rely on UNRWA to provide humanitarian assistance and shelter. At all times, and especially during escalations of violence, the sanctity and integrity of UN installations must be respected.”

Last week, UNRWA said it found 20 rockets being stored at one of its schools and handed them over to the relevant authorities, leading to accusations the rockets may have found their way back to Hamas.

“Immediately after discovery, the Agency informed the relevant parties and successfully took all necessary measures for the removal of the objects in order to preserve the safety and security of the school,” its statement said Tuesday.

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John Baird, the foreign affairs minister, said on Twitter he was “appalled” rockets had been stockpiled at a UN school. But he was also alarmed at reports in the first instance rockets had been returned to Hamas.

He called for an independent investigation to determine the facts.

Israel says it is going to great lengths to avoid civilian casualties and blames them on Hamas, accusing it of firing from residential neighbourhoods and using civilians as “human shields.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has also accused Hamas of using human shields.

“It is evident that Hamas is deliberately using human shields to further terror in the region,” he said last week.