Israeli forces raided a facility belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem on Monday, July 27, detaining several staff members during the operation, according to the agency.
UNRWA said Israeli soldiers entered one of its premises in occupied East Jerusalem, searched the facility and detained a number of employees. The agency condemned the raid, saying it disrupted humanitarian operations and violated the protections afforded to United Nations facilities and personnel.
Israeli authorities have not immediately provided detailed reasons for the operation. The raid comes amid continuing tensions between Israel and UNRWA, which has faced increasing restrictions and scrutiny from Israeli officials over its operations in the Palestinian territories.
UNRWA said it is seeking the immediate release of the detained staff and called on the international community to ensure the protection of humanitarian workers operating under the United Nations mandate.
The incident follows months of heightened Israeli military operations across the occupied Palestinian territories and continued international concern over access for humanitarian organisations.
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