UNRWA Gaza operations director Robert Turner resigns

The director responsible for The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) operations in the Gaza Strip, Robert Turner, said on Wednesday that he had submitted his resignation and plans to leave his current post in the blockaded Palestinian territory sometime in July.

Turner first assumed the position in May of 2012.

In a statement, he described his three years in the Gaza Strip as the "greatest in his professional life", going on to cite a number of challenges and achievements.

Turner promised to continue working to help the Gaza Strip-which continues to groan under an eight-year Israeli blockade-and its large refugee population.

Over the years, he said, Gaza had proven its resilience.

Two wars were launched against Gaza by Israel-in 2012 and 2014-during Turner's brief tenure.

In his statement, Turner refrained from giving any reasons for his resignation.