Gaza: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the actions of Israeli authorities, including security forces, for unlawfully entering and occupying the UNRWA Kalandia Training Centre in occupied East Jerusalem, where unauthorized works were carried out on the premises. According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, UNRWA staff members were present during the unauthorized entry. The Secretary-General expressed alarm over the development, highlighting its impact on depriving young people of vocational education. For over 70 years, the Centre has provided vocational education to thousands of Palestine refugees. The UN reported this as the fifth unauthorized entry by Israeli authorities into the Centre since May, alongside other breaches at UNRWA premises in East Jerusalem, such as the seizure and demolition of the Sheikh Jarrah compound and cutting off utilities to UNRWA facilities. These actions occur amidst domestic legislation that hinders UNRWA's mandate in the occupied Pales tinian Territory, as defined by General Assembly Resolution 80/78. The Secretary-General called for the repeal of this legislation. The statement emphasized that the Kalandia Training Centre and other UNRWA premises are United Nations properties, inviolable and immune from interference. It criticized the actions as inconsistent with Israel's obligations under international law, including the UN Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. The Secretary-General urged Israel to cease interference, vacate, restore affected premises, and protect them from further damage. United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process ad interim, Ramiz Alakbarov, also condemned the actions, reiterating the inviolability of UN premises. Alakbarov highlighted the impact on the Palestinian population served by UNRWA, noting that the seizure immediately deprives 340 Palestine refugee youth of education, with thousands more potentially affected. He called on Israel to cease actions affecting UN property and comply with international obligations.
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