Qatar Denounces Israeli Raid on UNRWA Training Centre in East Jerusalem

Doha, Qatar Aug 26, 2026 ALN: 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 services.

On Wednesday, Qatar 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.

The Qalandiya Vocational Training Centre, which is affiliated with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, was raided by Israeli forces on Tuesday as part of the occupation’s 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 stated that 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 illegal 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 stated that 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.

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 reported that the offensive left several Palestinians seriously injured, with 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.

Mohammad Aslan, head of the Qalandiya Refugee Camp Popular Services Committee, described conditions inside as “extremely difficult,” stating that 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.

In conclusion, the situation remains tense as international calls for action grow louder in response to Israel's aggressive measures against UNRWA and the Palestinian people.