The United Nation's agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, faced a troubling incident as its headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem were set on fire twice by Israeli residents. Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini expressed concern over the safety of UN staff as the fires caused extensive damage to the outdoor areas of the compound. Fortunately, there were no casualties among the UN personnel, but the staff had to tackle the fire themselves as Israeli fire extinguishers and police took time to arrive.
Lazzarini shared a video showing UN staff trying to extinguish the fire while a crowd, accompanied by armed men, chanted threatening slogans outside the compound. The situation escalated as protesters became violent, throwing stones at UN staff and the buildings within the compound. The commissioner-general highlighted that this was the second incident in less than a week, putting the lives of UN staff at serious risk.
Due to the ongoing security concerns, Lazzarini made the decision to close down the UNRWA compound until proper security measures are restored. He emphasized that UN staff have been facing regular harassment and intimidation in recent months, with instances of Israeli extremists threatening them with guns.
The disturbing events at the UNRWA headquarters underscore the need for a peaceful resolution and respect for international institutions. The UN is calling for a thorough investigation into the incidents and for measures to ensure the safety of its personnel in the region.
