VIDEO: Israel invaded a UN Palestinian refugee center. At the same location is planned a settlement
Officials and analysts describe the move as a step toward dismantling refugee protections and consolidating Israeli control over the occupied West Bank.
Wednesday, 26 August 2026 19:17
Israeli forces raided UNRWA's Qalandiya Training Centre on the northern edge of occupied East Jerusalem on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in an operation led by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Al Jazeera reported.
Israeli authorities justified the storming under October 2024 legislation banning UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees. Qatar sharply condemned the move and warned of systematic efforts to strip millions of Palestinians of essential services.
The raid took place on the boundary line between East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Israeli affairs expert Adel Shadid said the institute is adjacent to historic Qalandiya Airport, built more than 106 years ago. He said Israel aims to build more than 9,000 settlement units and a Jewish heritage centre at the airport area. Annexing the institute and airport area to what he called the occupation municipality would complete the 'Greater Jerusalem' project, carve out 12 to 13 percent of the West Bank and give the municipality control of more than 800sq km (310sq miles), he said.
Retired Lebanese Brigadier General and military analyst Elias Hanna said Qalandiya's importance lies in a broader West Bank settlement project based on settlement blocs that control continuity between Palestinian areas and isolate them. Control of the area can affect movement and the connection between Jerusalem and Ramallah, he said.
UNRWA media adviser Adnan Abu Hasna said the agency was not informed in advance of any Israeli government action against the institute and complex. He said the UN flag was lowered and the headquarters taken over, calling it a dangerous escalation against international humanitarian law, UN laws and UNRWA's General Assembly mandate.
Abu Hasna said a June 14, 1967 agreement with Israel provided for facilitating UNRWA operations and protecting its facilities, staff and headquarters. UNRWA operates schools and provides healthcare, social services and microfinancing. Abu Hasna said a $360m cut by the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers amounted to about 30 percent of its annual budget and left a large deficit.
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