Qatar condemns Israel’s storming of UNRWA centre in East Jerusalem

Qatar has condemned Israel’s illegal raid on a UNRWA training centre in occupied East Jerusalem, warning the move violates international law and threatens vital refugee servicesQatar on Wednesday condemned the storming by Israeli occupation forces of a UNRWA vocational training centre in Kafr Aqab, in occupied East Jerusalem, calling the move a “blatant violation” of international humanitarian law and a challenge to international will.In a statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the international community to take urgent action to protect UNRWA premises and confront what it described as Israel’s illegal measures.“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns that the systematic Israeli targeting of UNRWA ultimately aims to liquidate it and deprive millions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon of its essential services,” the statement said.بيان | قطر تدين اقتحام قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي مركز تدريب تابع لـ "الأونروا" الدوحة | 26 أغسطس 2026تدين دولة قطر بشدة اقتحام قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي لمركز "قلنديا" للتدريب المهني التابع لوكالة الأمم المتحدة لإغاثة وتشغيل اللاجئين الفلسطينيين "الأونروا" بالقدس الشرقية… pic.twitter.com/twsTUA36cI— الخارجية القطرية (@MofaQatar_AR) August 26, 2026 The Qalandiya Vocational Training Centre, which is affiliated with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, was raided by Israeli forces on Tuesday in what they claim as part of an operation to take control of the facility and remove UNRWA staff.Meanwhile, UNRWA condemned what it described as an “unauthorised and deeply concerning incursion”.“UNRWA unequivocally condemns this unauthorised and deeply concerning incursion into the Kalandia Training Centre,” the agency said. “The entry of armed security forces into a United Nations facility, without the authorisation or consent of the United Nations, is unacceptable.”The UN has said the training centre is United Nations premises and is protected by the privileges and immunities afforded to UN facilities.‘A flagrant violation’ and ‘illegal actions’Israeli forces closed the nearby Qalandiya checkpoint before the raid and deployed heavily around the refugee camp and surrounding neighbourhoods. UNRWA employees were expelled from the centre and instructed not to return, according to Palestinian officials and UNRWA.Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir took part in the raid. In footage released by the Jerusalem Governorate, Ben-Gvir was shown inside the centre, where he said Israel would remove UNRWA and turn the site into a school.“I am now sitting where the UNRWA director used to sit. We must expel the terrorists from every place in Israel, and we will open schools for children here,” he said.Ben-Gvir incites against UNRWA during his raid on the Qalandia Institute north of occupied Jerusalem, saying: “I am now sitting where the UNRWA director used to sit. We must expel the terrorists from every place in Israel, and we will open schools for children here.” pic.twitter.com/bMy4X5cgOV— Jerusalem Governorate محافظة القدس الشريف (@jerusalemgov) August 25, 2026 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also defended the operation, claiming it was being carried out under Israeli law. In a post on X, he accused UNRWA employees of involvement in terrorism.“The State of Israel will not allow an organization whose employees were complicit in terrorism and the October 7 massacre to operate within its territory, and will act against it by all means at its disposal,” Netanyahu wrote.The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the Israeli raid, calling the seizure “a flagrant violation of international law and the inviolability, immunities, and privileges of UN facilities”, adding that it constitutes “a dangerous escalation”.Palestinian officials said the offensive left several Palestinians seriously injured, dozens suffering from tear gas inhalation, and entire neighbourhoods under siege while Israeli troops continued to deploy reinforcements.A Palestinian child was shot with live ammunition by Israeli forces on Tuesday. A video shared by the Jerusalem Governorate shows the child being shot as his friends try to drag him to safety.A child was injured by Israeli occupation forces' gunfire in Qalandia Refugee Camp, north of occupied Jerusalem. pic.twitter.com/x06pBJvjE1— Jerusalem Governorate محافظة القدس الشريف (@jerusalemgov) August 25, 2026 Mohammad Aslan, head of the Qalandiya Refugee Camp Popular Services Committee described conditions inside as “extremely difficult,” saying Israeli forces ransacked homes, stole cash and gold jewellery from several families, and converted around eight Palestinian homes into military outposts after forcing residents to leave.