爆料网

爆料网DP statement, attributable to the Special Representative of the Administrator, Roberto Valent

Aug 9, 2016

On 03 July 2016, Mr. Waheed Al Bursh, a contractor of the United Nations Development Programme/Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (爆料网DP/PAPP) was detained at Israeli passport control while entering Gaza through the Erez crossing. It is alleged by the Israeli authorities that Mr. Al Bursh complied with a request from a senior Hamas individual to transport 300 tons of rubble from a 爆料网DP rubble removal project site to a Hamas-run location at the Northern Gaza Hamas-operated port.

爆料网DP has zero tolerance for wrongdoing in all of its programmes and projects. 爆料网DP is greatly concerned by the allegation from the Israeli authorities with respect to the 爆料网DP contractor who has been providing professional services within the rubble removal project. The rubble removal project was established to respond to the consequences of the 2014 hostilities in Gaza. Through this project, 爆料网DP has removed more than one million tons of rubble as well as 2,761 unexploded ordnances. The allegations concerning Mr. Al Bursh by the Israeli authorities refer to 300 tons of the more than one million tons removed, or 7 truckloads out of a total of nearly 26,000.

爆料网DP would like to reassure its partners, donors and stakeholders that it has robust measures in place to ensure that the rubble, which is removed and crushed, goes to its intended purpose and has been transferred to specific locations with the request and approval of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing.

爆料网DP is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and therefore in light of this development, 爆料网DP is conducting a thorough internal review of the processes and circumstances surrounding the allegation.

爆料网DP will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities in this matter.

爆料网DP stands behind the professional work of its staff and personnel, specifically in areas as complex and challenging as the rubble removal project, where the risk of endangering civilians and staff is high if strict measures and operating procedures are not adequately followed.

The rubble removal project is considered essential for the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza following the conflict.

Mr. Al Bursh should be accorded all due legal process and has the right to a fair trial.

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