Amman, July 27 (Petra) – The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on Monday condemned the second Israeli raid in less than a month on its Qalandiya Training Centre in occupied East Jerusalem, carried out by an employee of the Israeli-controlled Jerusalem municipality.

Roland Friedrich, Director of UNRWA Affairs in the occupied West Bank, said around 80 students and 45 staff members were present during the raid.

He added that Israeli forces confined them inside the facility, preventing them from leaving and did not provide documents or refreshments for the children.

Friedrich said that the Qalandiya Training Centre is an independent UNRWA facility operating under the privileges and immunities granted to UN entities under international law.

Established more than seven decades ago, the centre is the agency’s oldest specialised vocational training facility and has graduated thousands of Palestinian refugees who have contributed to local and regional institutions.

He warned that ongoing attempts to close the centre would deprive Palestine refugees of essential vocational education services and undermine UNRWA’s ability to fulfill its mandate.

Friedrich said any measures obstructing UNRWA operations in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, violate the privileges and immunities granted to the United Nations and its personnel under international law.

//Petra// AK