Al Ray, Gaza - Hamas called on Friday the United Nations to reconsider its closure of food aid centers to Gaza residents, imposed after protesters stormed a UN depot.

The UNRWA stopped food supplies after scores of Gazans headed to the field office on Thursday, demanding monthly cash allowance, suspended from April 1 due to budget cuts, be reinstated to poor families.

"This is an unjustified step", Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.

"There is a right of peaceful protest for Palestinian refugees; we call on UNRWA to reverse its decision and not to overreact to residents' protest.", he added.

"We fully understand the impact of the decision to suspend cash assistance had on some of our beneficiaries; demonstrations during the past week had already forced UNRWA to close many of its facilities," said the UN agency.

"With the situation further compounded by today's actions, all distribution centers will remain closed until guarantees are given by all relevant groups that UNRWA operations can continue without obstacles.”

Abu Zuhri said that “UNRWA staff was in no danger, as security forces had been posted to ensure their safety and the smooth running of their operations.”

"We in Hamas and the government are preventing entry (of protesters) to UNRWA headquarters in Gaza," he said. "We are providing appropriate conditions for UNRWA's work."