UNRWA closing eastern al-Quds HQ after arson by 'Israeli extremists'
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UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini says Israeli settlers set fire twice to the perimeter of the UNRWA headquarters in the eastern part of al-Quds.
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A screengrab from a video showing a fire set by Israeli settlers at the headquarters in the eastern part of occupied al-Quds (Israeli media)
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees said Thursday it was temporarily shutting down its headquarters in the eastern part of occupied al-Quds after "Israeli extremists" set fire to the perimeter following weeks of repeated attacks.
"This evening, Israeli residents set fire twice to the perimeter of the UNRWA headquarters in occupied east Jerusalem," agency chief Philippe Lazzarini said on X, lamenting that it was the second attack on the compound in a matter of days.
This evening, Israeli residents set fire twice to the perimeter of the UNRWA Headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem.
— Philippe Lazzarini (@UNLazzarini) May 9, 2024
This took place while UNRWA and other UN Agencies’ staff were on the compound.
While there were no casualties among our staff, the fire caused extensive damage… pic.twitter.com/ZqHFDNkiWC
He described how "a crowd accompanied by armed men were witnessed outside the compound chanting 'Burn down the United Nations'."
UNRWA and staff from other UN agencies at the time were on the compound, which has on its grounds petrol and diesel stations for a fleet of UN cars.
"While there were no casualties among our staff, the fire caused extensive damage to the outdoor areas," Lazzarini said, adding that UNRWA staff had put out the fire themselves.
The attack came after two months of "Israeli extremists staging protests outside the UNRWA compound," he said, adding that one protest earlier this week "became violent when demonstrators threw stones at UN staff and at the buildings of the compound."
Thursday's arson attempts marked "an outrageous development," Lazzarini said.
"Once again, the lives of UN staff were at a serious risk."
"In light of this second appalling incident in less than a week, I have taken the decision to close down our compound until proper security is restored."
The UNRWA chief lamented that "over the past months, UN staff have regularly been subjected to harassment and intimidation."
"Our compound has been seriously vandalised and damaged. On several occasions, Israeli extremists threatened our staff with guns."
Lazzarini underlined that, as an occupying power, it is "Israel's" responsibility "to ensure that United Nations personnel and facilities are protected at all times," calling on "all those who have influence to put an end to these attacks and hold all those responsible accountable."
"The perpetrators of these attacks must be investigated and those responsible must be held accountable. Anything less will set a new dangerous standard."
The Palestinian Authority condemned the arson attack and urged the international community to take "strict measures" against Israeli "militias".
Jordan also decried the attack, calling for measures to force "Israel" to "assume its responsibility as the occupying power" in al-Quds and put an end to the harassment, according to the official news agency Petra.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry slammed the "systematic Israeli targeting of UNRWA," maintaining it aimed "to liquidate it and deprive millions of Palestinians of its necessary services."
Saudi Arabia also condemned the attack.
UNRWA, which coordinates nearly all aid to besieged Gaza, has been in crisis since January, when "Israel" accused about a dozen of its 13,000 Gaza employees of being involved in the October 7 events.
Despite the unverified Israeli allegations, this led many donor nations, including its top donor the United States, to suspend funding to the agency, threatening its efforts to deliver desperately needed aid in Gaza, although several have since resumed payments.
An independent review group of UNRWA, led by French former Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, claimed it found some "neutrality-related issues" but said "Israel" had yet to provide evidence for its allegations.
Read more: UN suspends UNRWA probes as 'Israel' fails to provide evidence
