SAFA - The United Nations strongly condemned on Tuesday the illegal seizure by Israeli occupation forces of the Qalandia training center, run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), east of occupied Jerusalem. 

UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in his daily press briefing that "today's incident marks the fifth time since May that IOF has entered the center without authorization, following other unacceptable violations of the sanctity of UNRWA facilities in occupied Jerusalem, including the seizure and demolition of its compound in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and the cutting off of water and electricity services to several UNRWA facilities." 

He added that the UN Secretary-General condemned these actions in the strongest terms and expressed grave concern about this, "which will deprive young people of the vocational training they receive."

The UN spokesperson reiterated the call to repeal the legislation that severely impedes UNRWA’s ability to fulfill its mandate in the occupied Palestinian territory, as entrusted to it by the UN General Assembly. 

The UN Secretary-General urged Israel to immediately cease its interference with UNRWA facilities, vacate and return all affected facilities to the UN without delay, and protect them from further interference or damage. 

UNRWA also called on the international community to take immediate and decisive action to protect the sanctity of the center and all other UN facilities in occupied East Jerusalem. 

Israel’s escalating measures across the occupied West Bank have continued with the evacuation of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) compound in Jerusalem, the raid by Israeli forces on sections of the Qalandiya Training Center, and the closure of the main entrance to the Qalandiya refugee camp.