Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults
Informed sources to Al Mayadeen: A new chapter in relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency will begin within the framework of the new law passed by Parliament

Documents reveal Israeli harassment of UNRWA workers: The Guardian

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Guardian
  • 20 Mar 2024 11:03
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

The Guardian obtains UN documents detailing hundreds of incidents of Israeli forces abusing UNRWA employees, including allegations of workers being blindfolded and subjected to beatings.

  • x
  • Documents reveal pattern of Israeli harassment of UNRWA workers
    Israeli soldiers take up the position to raid UNRWA headquarters during the ground invasion of Gaza, Thursday, February 8, 2024. (AP)

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.

Read next: Reuters: 'Israel' coerced UNRWA employees to admit ties to Hamas

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."

Related News

UNRWA chief condemns Israeli efforts to sideline Gaza aid agency

UN chief warns of man-made famine in Gaza, urges unrestricted aid

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."

  • UNRWA
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • United Nations
  • West Bank
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
An explosion seen during an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

If Iran is attacked again, geography of response may change: IRGC spox

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS