Our teachers are trained to provide education in a way that helps the children follow the values of the United Nations, including peace and tolerance, and no hatred and no racism.

Other accusations concern the involvement of our staff in the fighting, and their political affiliation with certain armed groups in Gaza.

These misinformation campaigns weaken the efforts of what is currently the largest humanitarian organization in the Gaza Strip, catering to the needs of at least 1.4 million people who are in our shelters.

UN News: Although your agency has come under much more scrutiny since 7 October, it has existed since the early days of the UN.

Juliette Touma: Yes, we‘re one of the oldest United Nations agencies, and the biggest in Gaza, where we’ve been operating for seven decades.

Our largest programme involves providing education but sadly, since 7 October, we have had to close all of our schools, and turn many of them into shelters.