Israeli authorities conducted a raid on the UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem on Monday, December 8, removing the United Nations flag and raising the Israeli national flag, according to UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini. The operation has drawn international condemnation and raised concerns over the inviolability of United Nations premises.

Details of the Raid

Lazzarini reported on X (formerly Twitter) that Israeli police, accompanied by municipal officials, forcibly entered the UNRWA compound using trucks and forklifts. Communications were cut, and furniture, IT equipment, and other property were seized.

Israeli police told CNN the operation was carried out by the Jerusalem Municipality as part of a debt-collection procedure, stating that their presence was to secure municipal personnel. A spokesperson for the municipality explained that the raid was a “standard procedure against those who don’t pay property tax,” citing an alleged unpaid tax debt of approximately 11 million shekels ($3.4 million).

UN Response

The United Nations rejected Israel’s claim regarding property taxes. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the unauthorized entry, stating that the compound remains UN property and is “inviolable and immune from any other form of interference,” citing Israel’s obligations under the UN Charter and international law.

UNRWA spokesperson Lazzarini emphasized that the raid disrupted the agency’s operations and illegally interfered with its work supporting Palestinian refugees.

Israeli Government Position

Israeli officials have long criticized UNRWA, accusing the organization of aiding Hamas and calling for its dismantling. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office reiterated these concerns, with spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian stating that “UNRWA has proven its enormous failures, and it’s time for it to be dismantled.”

Israel passed legislation in late 2024 banning UNRWA operations within its territory and restricting official contact with the agency. Israeli leaders have repeatedly objected to UNRWA’s role in defining Palestinian refugee status and providing services in Gaza and the West Bank.

UNRWA’s Role in Palestinian Communities

For millions of Palestinians, UNRWA functions as a parallel government, providing education, healthcare, and humanitarian assistance. The agency educates approximately half a million students, employs 3,000 medical professionals, and helps feed nearly 2 million people across its areas of operation.

The raid has escalated tensions in East Jerusalem and raises questions about international law, UN protections, and the status of humanitarian organizations in conflict zones.