Israel Destroys UN Relief Agency Building in Gaza

Israeli forces have stormed the headquarters of the UN agency dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, demolishing buildings in an attack the agency condemned as “unprecedented,” Sharon Zhang reported for Truthout.

At least two UNRWA buildings were targeted for demolition, and tear gas was fired into a vocational school serving young refugees in Qalandia. (Photo: United Nations) 

Armed with bulldozers and tear gas, Israeli forces forcefully entered the offices of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem.

At least two UNRWA buildings were targeted for demolition, and tear gas was fired into a vocational school serving young refugees in Qalandia, on the outskirts of Jerusalem.

The Palestinian Authority said Israeli forces struck a 15-year-old boy in the eye with a rubber bullet.

Armed with bulldozers and tear gas, Israeli forces forcefully entered the offices of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem.

At least two UNRWA buildings were targeted for demolition, and tear gas was fired into a vocational school serving young refugees in Qalandia, on the outskirts of Jerusalem.

The Palestinian Authority said Israeli forces struck a 15-year-old boy in the eye with a rubber bullet.

Israeli government officials and lawmakers reportedly looked on approvingly as the premises—protected under international law—were attacked, according to UN officials.

The incident is among Israel’s most extreme actions against UNRWA to date, following the killing of 309 UNRWA employees in Gaza amid the conflict and moves to ban and financially dismantle the agency. UN officials condemned the attack.