Israeli Forces Raid UNRWA Centre
Israeli police raided a UN agency training centre in an east Jerusalem suburb on Tuesday.
The facility is operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
The raid came amid growing tensions over the centre and Israel’s efforts to restrict the agency’s operations.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said the operation aimed to remove UNRWA from the site.
Qalandia Centre Serves Palestinian Trainees
The facility is the Qalandia Training Centre.
UNRWA established the centre in 1952.
It provides vocational training to around 340 Palestinians from the occupied West Bank each year.
The centre sits between Kafr Aqab in east Jerusalem and Qalandia refugee camp.
Ben Gvir Calls for UNRWA Removal
Ben Gvir said Israeli police and other authorities were working to remove UNRWA from the location.
He accused the organization of having links to Hamas.
Israel has repeatedly alleged that some UNRWA employees participated in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Those allegations have contributed to a major dispute between Israel and the UN agency.
Investigations Raised Neutrality Concerns
Several investigations have examined Israel’s allegations against UNRWA.
A review led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna identified some issues related to neutrality within the agency.
However, the investigation said Israel had not provided conclusive evidence supporting its broader allegations.
The dispute over UNRWA’s role remains highly contentious.
Israeli Forces Close Road Near Centre
An AFP journalist at the scene reported that Israeli forces had closed the main road near the centre’s entrance.
Security forces were also seen moving between buildings inside the facility.
A convoy of three civilian vehicles reportedly left the centre under military escort.
The Jerusalem Governorate also said Israeli forces raised an Israeli flag in the centre’s courtyard.
Palestinians Accuse Israel of Taking Control
Mohammad Saeed Aslan, from the Popular Committee for Services in Qalandia camp, accused Israel of seeking control over UNRWA institutions more broadly.
The incident has raised further concerns among Palestinians about the future of the agency’s operations in east Jerusalem and the West Bank.
UNRWA has previously warned that Israeli authorities were threatening the Qalandia facility.
Israel Announces Alternative Development Plans
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the Jerusalem municipality had started renovation work on a new educational and community complex in Kafr Aqab.
The ministry said the project would benefit thousands of Arab residents.
Israeli authorities also argued that UNRWA had no property rights over the land.
They accused the agency of occupying and surrounding the site for decades.
East Jerusalem Remains Disputed
Israel occupied east Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed the area.
Much of the international community does not recognize the annexation.
The status of east Jerusalem remains one of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The dispute over the UNRWA training centre adds another layer to the wider tensions surrounding the city’s Palestinian institutions.
Diplomatic Delegations Visited Before Raid
The latest operation came just one day after representatives from more than 25 diplomatic missions and international organizations visited the centre.
The visit highlighted international attention surrounding the facility.
The raid now puts further focus on the future of UNRWA’s operations and vocational programs for Palestinians in the area.
