Tensions rise as Israeli police make ‘forceful entry’ into UNRWA compound in east Jerusalem
Jerusalem: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) has accused Israeli police of forcibly entering its compound in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah early on Monday.
The incident marks a significant escalation in Israel’s actions against the agency, which has been banned from operating on Israeli territory since January.
UNRWA reported that large numbers of Israeli forces, including police units on motorcycles along with trucks and forklifts, entered the compound without authorisation. The agency described the action as a violation of its privileges and immunities as a United Nations body. Photographs taken by an Associated Press photographer showed an Israeli flag erected at the site, while images shared by UNRWA staff depicted police officers inside the area.
Israeli police said the entry was part of a municipal “debt-collection procedure”, though the Jerusalem municipality did not immediately comment.
UNRWA was created to support the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. Today, it provides assistance to around 2.5 million refugees in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and a further 3 million in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Israel has long criticised the agency, arguing that its operations perpetuate the refugee issue. UNRWA and its supporters maintain that the agency plays an essential humanitarian role, particularly in Gaza.
Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on 7 October 2023, UNRWA served as a primary provider of food, shelter and medical support in Gaza. Throughout the conflict, Israel has accused the agency of ties to Hamas and of allowing militants to use its facilities—allegations the U.N. has disputed and for which Israel has provided limited evidence.
In early 2024, the United States, previously UNRWA’s largest donor, halted funding. Since then, other U.N. agencies such as the World Food Programme and UNICEF have stepped in to help fill the gap. UNRWA representatives say the agency has been excluded from recent ceasefire discussions, raising concerns about humanitarian coordination.
The raid took place as diplomatic efforts continued. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met U.S. officials in Jerusalem on Monday to discuss a 20-point U.S. plan outlining the next phases of the Gaza ceasefire. The Trump administration later announced that former President Donald Trump and Netanyahu will meet on 29 December to discuss further steps, including a proposed international stabilisation force for Gaza.
Meanwhile, Hamas said a search was underway in Gaza for the remains of one Israeli hostage yet to be returned. A senior Hamas figure told the AP that the group is open to discussing options involving the freezing or storing of weapons as part of the ceasefire formula.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 70,360 Palestinians have been killed since the war began. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and fighters, but says nearly half of the casualties are women and children. After the ceasefire took effect, more than 370 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes, the ministry added.
Violence has also risen in the West Bank. Israeli forces shot and killed a 19-year-old Palestinian man near Qalqilya on Sunday night, saying he was throwing rocks at soldiers with two others. One was arrested and another wounded.
Separately, Israel’s defence minister announced the start of construction of an 80-kilometre barrier along the border with Jordan, part of a wider plan to enhance security across 500 kilometres of eastern frontier areas. Israeli officials say the project aims to prevent efforts by Iran and allied groups to establish new fronts against Israel.
(With AP inputs)