Hamas condemns Israeli raid on UNRWA training centre near Jerusalem

Hamas condemned an Israeli raid on a UNRWA vocational training centre north of Jerusalem on Tuesday, describing the operation as an escalation of Israeli measures against the UN agency and a challenge to the international community.

In a statement, Hamas said Israeli forces accompanied by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir entered the Qalandia Vocational Training Institute, detained and questioned staff members and raised an Israeli flag inside the compound.

The movement said the raid came one day after representatives of 28 diplomatic missions visited the facility to examine the pressures and threats facing it. Hamas argued that the timing demonstrated disregard for international opposition to Israeli measures targeting UNRWA.

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It called on the United Nations and the international community to take steps to protect UNRWA and prevent further actions against its facilities, emphasising the agency’s role in providing services to Palestinian refugees.

Israeli forces began an operation on Tuesday at a UNRWA compound in the Kafr Aqab-Qalandia area, north of Jerusalem, as troops and military vehicles were deployed across the surrounding area, according to Palestinian local sources.

The operation coincided with raids and searches in Qalandia refugee camp and nearby areas. Local sources also reported that Israeli authorities distributed demolition notices for homes and other structures near the separation barrier.

According to the same sources, approximately 40 UNRWA employees and other people present at the vocational institute were detained and questioned in the field before Israeli forces began evacuating the compound and demolishing structures at the facility.

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