ISRAELI CREWS START DEMOLISHING UN AGENCY HEADQUARTERS FOR PALESTINIAN REFUGEES IN EAST JERUSALEM . (PHOTO)

 Israeli crews start demolishing UN agency headquarters for Palestinian refugees in East Jerusalem 

 Israeli forces carried out multiple operations targeting United Nations facilities in and around East Jerusalem on Tuesday, including firing tear gas at a Palestinian vocational school and bulldozing parts of the headquarters of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. According to UN officials, Israeli forces arrived at a UN-run trade school in Qalandia, on the northern outskirts of Jerusalem, where more than 300 young Palestinian refugees receive job training in fields such as technology and welding. Tear gas was deployed during the operation, marking the second UN facility targeted in the same day. Earlier, Israeli crews moved heavy equipment into the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem and began demolishing sections of UNRWA’s main headquarters compound. Staff had largely vacated the site months earlier due to security concerns, but Israeli forces reportedly seized equipment and removed private security personnel guarding the property.

The actions are the latest escalation in Israel’s long-running campaign against UNRWA, which Israel has accused of being infiltrated by militants, allegations the agency strongly denies. Israeli lawmakers banned the agency from operating in territory Israel defines as its own last year, a move that has led to repeated closures, raids, and disruptions of UNRWA schools, clinics, and offices. UNRWA officials warned that the demolitions could threaten operations at key facilities still providing education and health care to refugees in places like Qalandia and the Shua’fat camp. Israeli politicians were seen at the demolished headquarters, with some publicly celebrating the move. UN officials condemned the actions as violations of international law and warned they could set a dangerous precedent for the treatment of humanitarian and diplomatic missions worldwide, while Israel has argued the agency perpetuates refugee status and undermines its security objectives amid the ongoing regional conflict.