Caritas Jerusalem expresses alarm over military actions near schools

Published: 2004-06-07

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Caritas Jerusalem expressed deep concern over military actions that result in schools being targeted "by any weaponry." In a June 4 statement, Caritas specifically cited an incident involving tank fire near a school in Rafah operated by the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. "Military actions directed toward schools often result in children being injured. Caritas Jerusalem pleads upon all parties to avoid schools and places where children congregate," it said. "Sadly, this is what took place on June 1." According to Caritas Jerusalem, at around 4 p.m. on June 1 an Israeli tank, stationed on sand dunes some 9,000 feet from the Al-Umariye Elementary Boys School, opened fire in the Tel Es-Sultan region in Rafah in Gaza. The school is located on the main road into Tel Es-Sultan, where several gun battles and military actions have taken place in recent weeks.

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