“Israeli extremists” set fire to UNRWA offices in East Jerusalem

UNRWA was subjected to an attempted shooting. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced the closure of its offices in East Jerusalem on Thursday evening. Its president announced that “Israeli extremists” had “set fire” in the open areas of the compound.

On Thursday evening, “the Israelis twice set fire to the perimeter of the UNRWA headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem” while “staff from UNRWA and other UN agencies were present” inside, Philippe Lazzarini explains on X, explaining that “no UN staff were killed.” “United.” injured”.

He added: “I have taken a decision to close the complex until adequate security is restored,” denouncing “the second heinous incident in less than a week” committed by “Israeli extremists” in which “the lives of United Nations employees were put in danger.” “In grave danger.”

“Burn the United Nations!” »

He stressed that these UNRWA offices include a service station for the United Nations agency’s vehicles, recalling that “it is the responsibility of the State of Israel, as the occupying power, to ensure the protection of United Nations personnel and facilities at all times.”

In a video posted on his account, filmed from outside the UN complex, demonstrators can be heard chanting “Burn the UN!” While on the other side of the wire fence, a UN staff member extinguishes burning plants with a garden hose.

“In recent months, UN staff have been regularly harassed and intimidated. Our compound has been vandalized and severely damaged. On several occasions, Israeli extremists have threatened our staff with weapons,” he said on Thursday evening.