GAZA CITY: A UN aid agency has called off Gaza’s third international marathon, scheduled to take place on April 10, after the Palestinian militant group refused to allow women to participate.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), which aids Palestinian refugees and also sponsors and organizes the event, announced on Tuesday that plans for the April race have been cancelled following Hamas movement imposed ban on women runners. .
“This disappointing decision follows discussions with the authorities in Gaza who have insisted that no women should participate,” UNRWA said in a statement.
UNRWA said it is working on an alternative program of events for those who had signed up for the race.
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