UNRWA slams Israel for turning health centre as interrogation site
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has reported that Israeli occupation forces occupied one of its health centres in Al-Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron, using it as a site for field interrogations and the detention of Palestinian civilians.
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“This is a new development in the blatant disregard for the inviolability of United Nations facilities,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, this recent incident follows a pattern of forcible entries into UNRWA installations in the West Bank since October 2023, by both Israeli security forces and Palestinian armed groups.”
The agency stressed that “all UN premises are inviolable and are protected under international law.” It also noted that since 30 January, when Israeli legislation enforcing a no-contact policy between UNRWA and occupation authorities came into effect, the agency has been unable to engage with Israeli officials to report and address such violations as they occur.
This development has heightened concerns over ongoing breaches of international laws safeguarding humanitarian infrastructure and civilian rights in Palestine. UNRWA has urged immediate measures to protect the safety of its operations and uphold the integrity of humanitarian efforts in the region.
UNRWA activity within “areas under Israeli sovereignty” is now prohibited, including operating representative offices and providing services. Israelis are also prohibited from having any contact with the agency.
In May 2024, the agency’s management was forced to close the headquarters under the pressure of attacks by settlers, which reached the point of setting fire to its buildings twice in one week.
On 10 October last year, the Israel Lands Authority announced the seizure of the land on which the UNRWA headquarters is located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of occupied East Jerusalem, and the transformation of the site into an illegal settlement outpost containing 1,440 housing units.
The occupation regime also targeted the UNRWA Kalandia Training Centre (KTC), with the Israel Lands Authority issuing a decision on 14 January 2024 demanding that UNRWA vacate it and pay retroactive occupancy fees of 17 million shekels (about $4.76 million), on the pretext of constructing and using buildings without a permit.
UNRWA provides services to more than 110,000 refugees in Jerusalem alone. The UN agency has two refugee camps, Shuafat Camp and Kalandia Camp.
