Israeli Forces Occupy UNRWA Facility in Kafr Aqab
In a significant development in occupied East Jerusalem, Israeli forces recently conducted a raid and subsequently seized the Qalandiya Training Centre, a vital facility managed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The incident, which took place in the town of Kafr Aqab, has drawn sharp criticism and raised concerns regarding international law and humanitarian operations in the region.
Prior to the raid, Israeli authorities reportedly closed the nearby Qalandiya checkpoint, effectively isolating the area. Eyewitness accounts describe a heavy military presence, with forces deploying throughout the surrounding neighborhoods and the adjacent Qalandiya refugee camp. UNRWA employees present at the facility were forcibly removed and instructed not to return, as operations commenced to clear the complex.
Minister Ben-Gvir Praises Operation Amidst Condemnation
The operation was notably attended by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a prominent figure in the country's far-right political spectrum. Speaking from the site, Ben-Gvir lauded the actions of the forces, stating that an “operation to evacuate the building” had begun. He further asserted that “there is no place for the agency in Jerusalem and Israel,” and subsequently posted on social media platform X, declaring, “UNRWA in our hands.”
Following the takeover, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Jerusalem Municipality had already initiated plans to convert the property into a new educational and community complex. The ministry claimed this project would benefit thousands of Palestinian residents in Kafr Aqab, with proposals for additional schools, a mosque, sports facilities, and health centers.
UNRWA Denounces 'Deeply Concerning Incursion'
UNRWA promptly issued a statement, unequivocally condemning what it described as an “unauthorised and deeply concerning incursion.” The agency emphasized that the entry of armed security forces into a United Nations facility without authorization or consent is unacceptable. UNRWA highlighted that the Qalandiya Training Centre (KTC) is a United Nations facility, protected by the privileges and immunities afforded to the organization under international law, and its inviolability must be fully respected.
The agency appealed to the international community to act decisively and condemn the violation, urging them to ensure that United Nations premises are protected from unauthorized entry and seizure. UNRWA stressed the importance of being able to continue delivering essential services to Palestinian refugee communities without intimidation, obstruction, or interference, affirming that the integrity and inviolability of United Nations premises are not conditional and must be upheld.
Roland Friedrich, Director of UNRWA Affairs in the West Bank, expressed profound concern over the incident in an interview. He characterized the takeover as not merely a violation of the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, but also a direct infringement on the right of young Palestinians to receive quality education.
Conflicting Claims of Ownership and Legal Justification
Israeli officials have offered a different perspective on the matter, asserting that the site has been owned by the Jewish National Fund since 1937 and was subsequently allocated to the Jerusalem Municipality for the proposed community project. They contend that UNRWA had occupied the land for decades without legal ownership rights. The Israeli Foreign Ministry explicitly cited anti-UNRWA legislation enacted by the Knesset in October 2024, which bans the agency's activities in Israel, as justification for the takeover. However, UNRWA firmly refutes these claims, maintaining that the Qalandiya Training Centre is a UN facility and is therefore protected under international law.
Humanitarian Impact and Broader Campaign Against UNRWA
Journalist Sarah Abu Alrob, reporting from Ramallah, underscored the significant humanitarian consequences of this action. She noted that the centre provides crucial services to approximately 16,000 Palestinian refugees, including those residing in the Qalandiya refugee camp and others who travel from across the occupied West Bank to access its facilities. Abu Alrob also pointed out that this raid follows a similar incident months prior, when Israeli forces raided the UNRWA headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem, evacuating the premises and partially demolishing the building.
These actions, she explained, appear to be part of a larger campaign by the Israeli government aimed at dismantling UNRWA, an organization that provides essential educational, medical, and social services to Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank.
Legal Experts Condemn Action as International Law Violation
Human rights advocates and legal experts have widely condemned the takeover. Mohammad Dahleh, a lawyer and human rights advocate from occupied East Jerusalem, characterized the seizure as a direct breach of international law. He specifically referenced the advisory opinion rendered by the International Court of Justice in December 2025, stating that “it’s a clear violation of international law, and it’s a clear violation of the advisory opinion rendered by the International Court of Justice, the highest court in the world.”
Dahleh expressed concern that Israel appears to disregard international law, the rulings of the International Court of Justice, and the criticism from numerous countries, particularly during a period when Palestinian refugees are exceptionally vulnerable. He emphasized UNRWA's critical role on the ground, asserting that Palestinian refugees are currently in dire need of the assistance provided by the agency, both in occupied Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
