UNRWA has temporarily closed its headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem

 

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has temporarily closed its headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem after a series of attacks on the compound. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, announced the closure on social media, citing two incidents of fires being set at the compound's perimeter on Thursday evening.

According to Lazzarini, "Israeli residents" were responsible for the attacks, which caused extensive damage to the outdoor areas of the compound. He also reported that UN staff, including the director, had to put out the fire themselves as it took the Israeli fire extinguishers and police a while to arrive. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but Lazzarini emphasized that the lives of UN staff were at serious risk.

This is not the first incident of its kind, as Lazzarini reported that the compound had been attacked earlier in the week as well. He also shared a video of a crowd, accompanied by armed men, chanting "burn down the United Nations," although the BBC has not verified the authenticity of the video.

As a result of these incidents, UNRWA has decided to close its headquarters until "proper security is restored." This move comes amidst a backdrop of increased tensions and violence in the region. In a two-week period, UNRWA reported 10 incidents involving shooting at convoys and bullying and harassment of UN staff.

The situation has been further complicated by allegations from Israel that some UNRWA staff members were involved in the October 7 Hamas attacks. These allegations led several international donors to temporarily halt their funding, although some have since resumed aid payments. An independent UN review later found that Israel had not provided sufficient evidence to support these claims, and recommended that UNRWA improve its neutrality, staff vetting, and transparency.

The closure of UNRWA's headquarters in East Jerusalem is a concerning development, as it highlights the ongoing challenges and risks faced by humanitarian workers in the region. It also underscores the need for increased security measures to protect UN staff and facilities, as well as the importance of addressing the underlying issues driving the conflict.