On 25 August more than 50 members of the Israeli Security Forces (ISF) with armoured vehicles forcibly entered the UNRWA Kalandia Training Centre (KTC) in occupied East Jerusalem and expelled the UN staff who work there, telling them not to return.

Far-right Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir participated in the raid.

The entry of armed security forces into a United Nations facility, without the authorisation or consent of the United Nations, is illegal and totally unacceptable. The KTC is a United Nations facility protected by the privileges and immunities afforded to the UN under international law. Its inviolability must be fully respected.

But, of course, Israel has no respect for international law or the UN.

Any attempt to take possession of, interfere with, or otherwise undermine the functioning of an UNRWA facility strikes at the ability of the United Nations to carry out its mandate. UNRWA will continue to insist on the protection of its premises, personnel and operations and on respect for the privileges and immunities accorded to the United Nations under international law.

In a statement UNRWA called on the international community to act immediately and decisively to safeguard the inviolability of the Kalandia Training Centre and all other United Nations facilities in occupied East Jerusalem. “The international community must ensure that United Nations premises are protected from unauthorised entry and seizure,” the statement said, “and that UNRWA can continue delivering essential services to Palestine Refugee communities without intimidation, obstruction or interference.”

According to Aljazeera, after the raid, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Jerusalem Municipality had already commenced work to transform the property into a new educational and community complex.

Outdoor photo of Kalandia Training Center. © 2026 UNRWA Photo