Israeli security forces raided and seized the last operational facility run by the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees in occupied East Jerusalem, according to Al Jazeera and Anadolu Agency. Monday`s military operation at the Qalandiya Vocational Training Institute was led by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who entered the compound accompanied by armored vehicles and heavily armed troops to evacuate staff, conduct field interrogations, and hoist an Israeli flag over the campus.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency strongly condemned the unauthorized takeover, stating that armed security forces entered a protected UN facility without authorization or consent. Established in 1952 as one of the agency`s foundational vocational institutions, the Qalandiya center provides technical education to hundreds of young Palestinian students annually. UN officials and international legal experts noted that the raid constituted a flagrant violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the special diplomatic immunities afforded to United Nations organizations worldwide.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the operation was carried out under his direct directives as part of broader legislative and administrative measures aimed at dismantling the agency`s infrastructure in occupied territories. During the raid, Israeli forces clashed with residents near the perimeter, firing live ammunition and tear gas, resulting in a Palestinian teenager being shot and wounded. Approximately 40 staff members and individuals present on-site were detained, questioned, and ordered to vacate the premises immediately.
International condemnation has been swift and widespread, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressing deep alarm over the incident and demanding that Israeli authorities immediately vacate the premises and restore them to the United Nations without delay. Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric emphasized that such breaches of UN inviolability are wholly unacceptable and inconsistent with Israel`s obligations under international law and previous international court advisory opinions. Diplomatic missions, regional bodies, and international human rights organizations also criticized the aggressive escalation, warning that it severely undermines humanitarian assistance and refugee protection frameworks.
Political analysts suggest that the seizure of the Qalandiya institute is part of a calculated, long-term strategy designed to erase Palestinian refugee rights and accelerate the annexation of the occupied West Bank. Municipal technical crews were dispatched to the site immediately following the evacuation to begin maintenance and renovation work in preparation for establishing a local Israeli municipal educational complex. As regional tensions continue to mount, international observers warn that persistent attacks on United Nations infrastructure threaten to deepen the humanitarian crisis and permanently derail prospects for a peaceful resolution.
