UN staff working with Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have faced a systematic campaign of obstruction and harassment by the Israeli occupation since the onset of the Gaza war five months ago, as revealed by internal UN documents obtained by The Guardian.

The documents record numerous incidents, including reports of UN staff being blindfolded and beaten at checkpoints, as well as Israeli troops using UN facilities as firing positions during raids on refugee camps where Palestinians were killed.

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A spokesperson for UNRWA, Juliette Touma, stated that the incidents documented in the internal documents concerning the West Bank, where the agency operates 96 schools and 43 health clinics for 871,000 registered refugees, are "part of a broader pattern of harassment that we are witnessing against UNRWA in the West Bank and occupied al-Quds."

Documents reveal 'Israel's' obstruction of medical supplies to UNRWA

The documents outline how UNRWA's health centers in the West Bank faced shortages of essential supplies when a shipment of medicine was delayed by Israeli customs for over two months while in Jordan. The cargo, consisting of 42 pallets containing antibiotics, antihistamines, painkillers, and medications for diabetes, hypertension, and schizophrenia, arrived in Amman in January but was only cleared on Sunday.

The documents also state that “UNRWA staff [in the West Bank] have been verbally abused, subject to identity checks and searches, and required to lift their clothing to demonstrate the absence of weapons."

In addition, "increasingly egregious violations of privileges and immunities of the UN have been recorded, including entries into UNRWA installations by armed personnel as part of ISF [Israeli security forces] operations, as well as damage to UNRWA installations incurred during the course of such operations."

It is crucial to mention that the documents referred to the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN, adopted in 1946, under which UN agencies "are entitled to carry out activities in support of their mandate without hindrance."

Documents reveal Israeli harassment of UNRWA staff 

According to the documents, since October 7, UNRWA has documented 135 incidents impacting its clinics, schools, or offices, ranging from intrusions and misuse to military raids, resulting in tear gas canisters or bullets landing within their premises.

The documents further state that on December 8, Israeli security forces launched a raid targeting Palestinians in the al-Faara refugee camp in the northern West Bank, where they broke through the gate of the UNRWA health center and took down its UN flag.

“The health center was clearly marked with a UN flag and signage. At least 10 armed ISF personnel broke into the building, which was closed … They were seen removing the UN flag on the roof and took positions on the balconies, upper-floor windows, and roof of the building with their firearms pointed towards the camp. After ISF withdrew from the camp and when Unrwa staff were able to safely return to the health center, [spent] ammunition was found on the premises,” the documents say.

The Israeli raid led to the deaths of six Palestinians, including a 14-year-old.

Documents reveal Israeli pressure on UNRWA causes hardship 

The documents claim that despite attempts to coordinate with Israeli authorities, UNRWA staff in and around the Arroub camp have often faced obstacles in their travels, with their vehicles being frequently searched, and themselves subjected to insults or accusations of supporting terrorism.

“Sometimes access has been completely denied, regardless of coordination. Access procedures can sporadically change without prior notice, depending on the troops manning the checkpoint and there is no predictability. These factors have made operational planning very difficult for UNRWA on Arroub camp,” the documents say.

Israeli officials argue that these measures are essential to thwarting alleged "terrorist attacks originating from the West Bank aimed at Israel". 

On the other hand, one UNRWA document highlights that certain measures in the West Bank have exacerbated economic difficulties, especially for Palestinians commuting to different cities for work or depending on employment opportunities in "Israel". It concludes that “The longer access and movement restrictions are in place, the greater the potential for further instability in the West Bank."