Police motorcycles, trucks and forklifts were taken away and all communications were cut, he said, while furniture, computer equipment and other property was confiscated.
The UN flag was taken down and replaced with an Israeli flag.
Israel urges recognition of UN immunity
UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement strongly condemning the unauthorized entry.
“This complex remains United Nations premises and is inviolable and immune to any other form of interference.“, said.
“I urge Israel to immediately take all necessary measures to restore, preserve and defend the inviolability of UNRWA facilities and to refrain from taking any other measures with respect to UNRWA facilities, in accordance with its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and its other obligations under international law.”
“Flagrant contempt”
“This latest action represents a blatant disregard of Israel’s obligation as a Member State of the United Nations to protect and respect the inviolability of UN facilities.”said Mr. Lazzarini.
“Allowing this represents a new challenge to international law, creating a dangerous precedent anywhere else in the world where the UN is present.”
UNRWA provides health, education and other services to approximately six million Palestinian refugees in five locations in the Middle East, including the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
The agency has come under attack following the latest hostilities in Gaza, which began after the deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Lazzarini said the East Jerusalem complex has been empty since the beginning of the year after the Israeli parliament passed “anti-UNRWA legislation.” Read more about the laws here.
This was preceded by months of harassment, including arson attacks in 2024, as well as hate protests and intimidation, backed by a large-scale disinformation campaign.
UN facilities are inviolable
“However, Whatever the measures adopted at the national level, the complex retains its status as the headquarters of the United Nations, immune to any form of interference.”said the UNRWA chief.
Israel is a party to the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the UN, the international treaty that “makes UN facilities inviolable – in other words, immune from searches and/or seizures – and makes UN property and assets immune from legal process,” he said.
He added that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) “has also stressed that Israel is obliged to cooperate with UNRWA and other UN agencies.”