Israeli Security Forces (ISF) used the UNRWA Arroub Camp Health Centre (near Bethlehem) as a temporary detention site during a search and arrest operation on 12 February. The ISF forcibly entered the health centre and used it for the detention and interrogation of tens of Palestinian residents rounded up in the camp.
This is a new development in the blatant disregard for the inviolability of United Nations facilities. Unfortunately, this recent incident follows a pattern of forcible entries into UNRWA installations in the West Bank since October 2023, by both Israeli security forces and Palestinian armed groups.
All UN premises are inviolable and are protected under international law.
Since 30 January and the implementation of Knesset laws, including a no-contact policy between UNRWA and Israeli authorities, the Agency is no longer able to engage with Israeli officials and directly report and deconflict such incidents as they occur.
Notes
- During the ongoing large-scale ISF operation in the northern West Bank since 21 January alone, multiple UNRWA facilities have been damaged or broken into.
- They include the Jenin Camp Health Centre, Jenin Girls' School #1, Jenin Relief and Social Services Office, Nur Shams Girls' School, Tulkarm Camp Health Centre and El Far'a Basic Boys School.
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UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency's area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.
UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, The Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 conflict continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.
UNRWA helps Palestine Refugees achieve their full potential in human development through quality services it provides in education, health care, relief and social services, protection, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions.
