UN reports 800 Palestinians affected by Israeli raids on West Bank schools
The head of the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) reports that some 800 boys and girls are directly impacted by the closure of six schools in the occupied West Bank and are likely to miss finishing their school year.
“UNRWA schools are protected by the privileges and immunities of the United Nations,” Philippe Lazzarini wrote in a post on X.
“Today’s unauthorised entries and issuance of closure orders are a violation of these protections and represent a revocation of Israel’s obligations under international law.”
Lazzarini said the organisation remains committed to “stay and deliver education and other basic services” to Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
UNRWA, by the numbers
As we’ve been reporting, Israel has delivered closure notices to several UNRWA-affiliated schools in occupied East Jerusalem. But what is UNRWA, and where does it operate?
For decades, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East has been the primary provider of health and education services to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and neighbouring countries.
In September, about 45,000 Palestinian refugee children began their school year in 96 UNRWA-operated schools across the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The agency also employs more than 2,200 staff members in the West Bank.
For more on UNRWA’s role in education and health services, check out our explainer here.
Gaza gov’t media office rejects Israel’s aid delivery proposals
The Gaza government media office says it “firmly” and “categorically” rejects Israeli proposals for a new aid delivery mechanism in Gaza.
“These proposals include having Israeli occupation soldiers or private companies affiliated with the occupation directly distribute aid to Palestinian families,” the office said in a statement. “We consider it a blatant attempt to falsely legitimise its illegal occupation and to evade its responsibilities as an occupying power.”
Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the Israeli military agency that coordinates aid, last week met with United Nations agencies and international aid groups and said it proposed “a structured monitoring and aid entry mechanism” for Gaza.
“The mechanism is designed to support aid organizations, enhance oversight and accountability, and ensure that assistance reaches the civilian population in need, rather than being diverted and stolen by Hamas,” COGAT posted on X on Sunday.
As we reported earlier, UN chief Antonio Guterres said the world body “will not participate in any arrangement that does not fully respect the humanitarian principles” of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality.
