Europe Asia News

In a statement, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Israeli occupation authorities raided UNRWA’s headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied Jerusalem on Tuesday. The statement noted that demolition works were carried out at the facilities, UNRWA property was confiscated, and the occupation force’s flag was raised over the building.

The Ministry stressed that these actions constitute a clear violation of international law and the inviolability of United Nations facilities. It stated that the attack violates Israel’s obligations as an occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention, particularly provisions related to the protection of public property and the non-obstruction of humanitarian organizations, and also violates the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.

The statement emphasized that legislation and decisions issued by the occupation authorities have no legal validity with regard to UNRWA’s legal status or its presence and activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, which was reaffirmed as an integral part of the occupied territories under international law and relevant UN resolutions.

The Ministry said this deliberate escalation against UNRWA is part of a systematic process targeting the Agency’s role and the UN mandate, aiming to undermine the international protection system for Palestinian refugees and their inalienable rights, foremost the right of return.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs held Israel fully responsible for the attack and called on the United Nations and its member states, particularly countries supporting UNRWA, to take urgent action to stop the violations and protect the Agency’s work, stressing that diplomatic and legal efforts will continue to hold the occupying state accountable.