Israelis set fire to the UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem | iRADIO

The head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, said on social network X that the complex will be closed until security is restored at the site. “This evening, Israeli residents twice set fire to the outskirts of the UNRWA headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem,” Lazzarini said Thursday evening.

He called it “outrageous”, saying it put the lives of UN workers at risk. “As the occupying power, the State of Israel is obliged to ensure that UN personnel and facilities are protected at all times,” he added. Employees were present in the building at the time of the incident, but no one was hurt. However, the fire damaged the outdoor areas.

Israeli police did not immediately comment on the situation, according to Reuters. “Initial findings from the investigation indicate that the act was committed by juveniles who apparently do not reach the legal age limit for criminal responsibility,” the police said.

According to Lazzarini, groups of Israelis have been holding regular demonstrations in front of the UNRWA compound for two months, and this week agency staff and the building were attacked with stones.

In the footage Lazzarini shared with his post, smoke can be seen rising from buildings on the edge of the compound, while chanting and chanting can be heard. A crowd of armed men chanting “Burn the UN” was seen outside the compound, according to Lazzarini.

UNRWA was created to care for Palestinian refugees who fled or were forced from their homes during the 1948 war that followed the creation of Israel.

Since the beginning of the current war in the Gaza Strip, Israeli officials have repeatedly called for the closure of the agency, accusing it of collaborating with the Islamist movement Hamas. UNRWA rejects this.

Israel considers all of Jerusalem its indivisible capital, including the eastern parts it captured in the 1967 war and which the Palestinians want to claim as the future capital of an independent state.

CTK

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on LinkedIn

Print

Copy the url address

Abbreviated address





Copy to clipboard

Close