Conflict · UNRWA center seizedIsrael Seizes Last Major UNRWA Center in East Jerusalem, 340 Students DisplacedAired August 29, 2026 at 9:26 PM UTCWritten September 7, 2026 at 9:22 PM UTCRead the write-upThis storyTranscript · LOADING0:00Israeli forces seized the UN's last major facility in East Jerusalem, leaving 3400:05students without training.0:06The seizure is a direct legal clash between Israeli domestic law and the0:10inviolability of United Nations premises, and it could determine whether UNRWA keeps0:14any foothold in the city.0:15The open question, will this vocational college reopen or become a municipal school0:19complex?0:20The center has been operational since 1952, but its fate was sealed by a series of0:24Israeli laws passed in October 2024.0:28That legislation, effective January 2025, banned UNRWA from operating in Israeli0:33territory and cut all official contact.0:35A December amendment added seizure powers.0:38In October 2025, the International Court of Justice advised that UN premises are0:42inviolable, but that did not stop the raid.0:44On August 25th, at about 10 a.m., Israeli security forces forcibly entered the0:49compound with at least four armored vehicles and over 50 personnel.0:54They searched and detained the 20 to 24 staff on site, then told them not to return.0:59The Israeli flag was raised in the courtyard, and Jerusalem municipal crews began1:03what they called maintenance and renovation work, which UN officials described as1:07unauthorized.1:08Three days later, the forces withdrew, leaving shattered glass, ransacked1:12classrooms, and signs of looting.1:14The center is UNRWA's oldest vocational training site, established in 1952, and the1:20last one in East Jerusalem.1:21Its loss leaves the agency with no major presence in the city.1:25UNRWA says the center held more than $5 million in assets, and that 340 students1:30aged 15 to 19 who were enrolled in two-year vocational courses have lost their1:34training.1:35After the withdrawal, the compound was found with shattered glass, ransacked1:39classrooms, and signs of looting.1:40In the wider operation, five Palestinians were reported injured by gunfire.1:44UNRWA has already lost six schools and two health centers in East Jerusalem, and its1:49headquarters in Sheikh Jara was seized and largely destroyed.1:53The UN says this was the fifth unauthorized entry into the Kalandia Center since1:58May.1:58Israel cites its own domestic laws and a directive from Prime Minister Netanyahu to2:03justify the seizure.2:04The UN insists the premises are inviolable under international law, pointing to a2:08twenty twenty-five advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice.2:11Israel claims the land belongs to the Jewish National Fund, while UNRWA says Jordan2:16granted it in 1952.2:18Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the entry in the strongest terms,2:23saying the premises are inviolable and immune from any form of interference.2:27Friedrich called the entry unlawful and demanded that Israel reverse its actions.2:33Saunders said the raid was part of a campaign to weaken the agency and eliminate2:37Palestinian rights.2:39Ben Jigver was present during the raid and sat in the director's chair, saying the2:43agency is now in Israeli hands.2:45Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the evacuation was in accordance with his2:49directive and the law, and that Israel will not allow an organization whose2:53employees were involved in terrorism to operate on its territory.2:56These are the key figures in the dispute.2:58UN Secretary General Guterres condemned the seizure, while UNRWA's West Bank3:02Director Roland Friedrich reported damage.3:04On the Israeli side, National Security Minister Ben Gouer was present during the3:08raid and Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered it.3:10The UK's Stephen Doughty called the action outrageous, citing the Institute's3:14generations of service to Palestinian refugees.3:17Israel's foreign ministry rejected the criticism, saying UNRWA never had property3:21rights and occupied the site unlawfully.3:24It insisted the actions were in accordance with Israeli and international law.3:28The seizure drew swift condemnation.3:30The UK's minister called it outrageous, and a joint statement by UNRWA's Advisory3:34Commission members, including 14 states and the EU, condemned the unlawful entry.3:39Hamas also condemned the raid.3:41There are discrepancies in the reporting.3:43The United Nations briefing dated the entry to August 26th, but UNRWA and other3:48sources say August 25th.3:49Israel cited a USAID report referring over 100 staff for alleged ties to October3:547th, but that is a referral, not a conviction.3:57And while a joint statement by UNRWA's Advisory Commission condemned the seizure,4:01the exact number of countries varies.4:03Israel says the site will become an educational and community complex for the Arab4:08children of Kafra Aqab with over 40 million shekels allocated.4:12Some municipal plans include a mosque.4:14Registration for the new academic year was open until September 1st, with classes4:19due the following week, but the site remains off-limits.4:22The center is located in the Kafr Aqab area of East Jerusalem, near the Kalandia4:27refugee camp and the checkpoint.4:29After the withdrawal, the compound was found with shattered glass, ransacked4:33classrooms, and signs of looting.4:35The future of the compound remains unresolved.4:37A challenge to the anti-UNRALA laws has been pending before the High Court since4:41January 2025, with interim relief denied multiple times.4:44No final judgment has been issued.4:46Whether the site reopens as a vocational college or becomes a municipal school4:50complex will determine if UNRWA retains any major footprint in East Jerusalem.Explore with HeyDexThe shortThe short ↗