The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has strongly condemned Israel's seizure of its training center in East Jerusalem, characterizing the move as part of a broader campaign to undermine the agency and deny Palestinian rights.

In comments made on Wednesday, acting Commissioner-General Christian Saunders accused Israel of violating UN premises. Saunders stated that the agency "is not going anywhere" and that "might doesn't win out" in resolving the conflict, emphasizing the agency's commitment to its mission.

The Qalandiya Training Centre in the Kafr Aqab neighborhood was raided and occupied by Israeli forces on Tuesday. Employees were expelled and ordered not to return. The Jerusalem governorate reported that five Palestinians sustained injuries from Israeli gunfire near the facility. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who participated in the raid, declared that the agency "has no place in Jerusalem and Israel."

Saunders highlighted the immediate impact of the seizure, noting that 340 young Palestinians will be deprived of essential education and vocational training. He expressed concern that these students, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, will lose the opportunity to acquire skills necessary for a "full and dignified life."

The Qalandiya Training Centre is a key component of UNRWA's services for Palestinian refugees, serving approximately 16,000 individuals from the Qalandiya refugee camp and surrounding areas in the occupied West Bank. The Israeli action occurred amidst increased military presence and the closure of a nearby checkpoint.

Israeli authorities asserted that the property belongs to the Jewish National Fund and has been designated for development into an educational and community complex by the Jerusalem Municipality. They also cited Israeli legislation passed in October 2024 that restricts UNRWA's operations. UNRWA, however, maintains that the center is a United Nations facility protected under international law.

UNRWA has faced significant pressure, particularly following events in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, with some of its workers killed. Saunders suggested that the escalating actions against the agency are intended to weaken its funding and operational capacity, directly linking these efforts to the broader issue of Palestinian refugee rights.

The agency has rejected Israel's claims regarding the property and its operations, reaffirming its stance that the seizure violates international law and protections afforded to UN facilities. The long-term implications for Palestinian refugees' access to education and essential services remain a significant concern.