FRANKFURT: United Nations and European officials Friday condemned attacks against the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in east Jerusalem, that forced the agency to temporarily close its headquarters.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) handle UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the recent attack on UNRWA Headquarters in East Jerusalem adding that targeting aid workers and humanitarian assets was unacceptable, and must be stopped.
Earlier Germany’s foreign ministry called out the “escalation of violent protest” and stated on X that “Israel must ensure the protection of UN facilities and staff in the occupied Palestinian territories”.
“The UN required to become able and serve their important mandate in Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem,” the ministry further stated.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also condemned the attack in strong words.
“It is the responsibility of Israel to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers” he stated on X adding that UNRWA was an irreplaceable lifeline to millions in Gaza and the relevant.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini announced the temporary closure of the site after Israelis set fire to its perimeter in the latest in a series of attacks. Luckily there were no casualties, he further said, however the blaze caused extensive damage to the office and outdoor area.
In addition, the Palestinian Authority, Jordan and Saudi Arabia have already condemned the arson attack.
UNRWA in Palestine
UNRWA, which coordinated nearly all aid to Gaza, facing crisis since January, when Israel accused over a dozen of its 13,000 Gaza employees of being involved in the October attack.
The move led many nations, including top donor the United States, to abruptly suspend funding to the agency, threatening its efforts to deliver aid in Gaza, however some have since resumed payments.
Established in 1949, the agency employs around 30,000 people in the Palestinian territories, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
