SAFA-  Hamas Movement condemned the Israeli seizure of a compound belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Kafr Aqab area north of occupied Jerusalem, calling the move a blatant attack on a UN institution and a challenge to international law and United Nations resolutions.

Hamas said in a statement on Tuesday that Israel's "systematic and ongoing aggression" against the Palestinian people included the demolition. 

The Movement stated that the continued lack of effective international and UN action against Israeli violations was encouraging further abuses and allowing Israel to impose facts on the ground by force.

It believes that the international silence on the demolition provides Israel with political cover to continue violating international laws and norms. It called on the international community and the United Nations to take immediate action to halt the Israeli violations.

The Movement also called for the imposition of “effective deterrent measures” against Israel and urged the United Nations to fulfill its responsibility to protect UNRWA and enable the agency to carry out its mandate.

Hamas said UNRWA remains an international witness to the Palestinian refugee issue and their rights, including the right of return to homes from which Palestinians were forcibly displaced.

The Movement further warned that attacks on UNRWA facilities constitute a direct challenge to the international system and called for a firm international response to halt the continued Israeli violations.