JERUSALEM, April 8, 2025 (WAFA) – The United Nations Agency of Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) Tuesday voiced its rejection of an Israeli army raid into six UNRWA-affiliated schools in the occupied city of Jerusalem neighborhoods of Shuafat, Silwan, Sur Baher, and Wadi al-Joz.

Abeer Ismail, director of UNRWA’s Information Office, denounced the raid besides the handing over of a closure order, giving the institution 30 days to shut down as a completely rejected procedure that violates international law.

“This procedure represents a violation of the right of Palestine refugee children to receive education, and threatens to deprive hundreds of children of their basic right to education within their country,” Ismail said in a statement.

“If we are forced to close, the consequences will be dire, as the children will be deprived of their basic right to education, which will exacerbate their suffering and negatively affect their future.”

She added that the procedure also constitutes a violation of the immunity of the United Nations facilities, noting that the UN was closely following up on it and examining its legal and practical dimensions.

She affirmed that UNRWA would remain committed to the provision of educational services to Palestinian refugees in the occupied city, including in the current academic year.

Earlier today, Israeli occupation forces forcibly entered six UNRWA-affiliated schools and announced plans to close the facilities.

On 28 October 2024, Israel's Knesset, with over 90 percent support, approved two bills banning UNRWA from operating in the occupied territories - Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. These measures went into effect at the end of last January.

East Jerusalem is a part of the internationally recognized Palestinian territories that have been occupied by the Israeli military since 1967.

K.F.