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UNRWA chief accuses Israel of targeting agency through East Jerusalem raid
The head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees says the seizure of a facility in East Jerusalem is part of a broader effort to undermine the organization and weaken Palestinian rights.
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Christian Saunders, chief of UNRWA, has condemned what he characterizes as an Israeli military operation targeting the agency's operations in East Jerusalem, alleging the action forms part of a strategic campaign against the relief organization.
In remarks to international media, Saunders contended that the seizure of the facility represents an escalation in pressure against UNRWA at a time of heightened regional tensions. He argued that such measures threaten the agency's ability to deliver humanitarian assistance to Palestinians across its areas of operation.
The UNRWA chief's statements underscore deepening friction between Israeli authorities and the UN agency, which has provided education, healthcare and social services to Palestinian refugees for decades. The organization operates across the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Israeli officials have previously raised concerns about UNRWA's operations and staffing, while the agency has consistently maintained its mandate to serve vulnerable Palestinian populations. The dispute reflects broader tensions over Palestinian statehood and rights in territories claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians.