Europe Asia News

The UN reported that in the early hours of the morning, Israeli police and municipal officials forcibly entered the UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem.

According to the UN statement, police motorcycles, trucks and forklifts were brought into the compound; all communications were cut, and various items — including furniture and IT equipment — were confiscated. It was also noted that the UN flag was taken down and replaced with an Israeli flag.

UN officials stated that this action contradicts Israel’s obligations as a member state to uphold the inviolability of UN facilities. The statement recalled that following arson attempts, intimidation and disinformation campaigns in 2024, UNRWA staff were forced to evacuate the compound earlier this year.

The UN emphasized that despite the events, the compound retains its status as a UN building, which under international law is protected from interference. The statement noted that the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN — to which Israel is a party — clearly exempts UN premises from searches and seizures.

It was also recalled that the International Court of Justice has underscored Israel’s obligation to cooperate with UNRWA and other UN bodies. UN officials warned that the incident constitutes a serious challenge to international law and may set a dangerous precedent for UN operations worldwide.