
'Israel' forces close UN schools in east Jerusalem
A closure notice in Hebrew was left at the entrance of at least one of the schools, and UNRWA said at least one of its staff members was detained.
"From May 8, 2025, it will be prohibited to operate educational institutions, or employ teachers, teaching staff or any other staff, and it will be forbidden to accommodate students or allow the entry of students into this institution," the closure order read.
UNRWA's director in the West Bank, Roland Friedrich, told AFP that "heavily armed" forces surrounded three UNRWA schools in east Jerusalem's Shuafat camp at 9:00 AM on Thursday.
Friedrich added that 550 pupils aged six to 15 were present when the closure was enforced, calling the event "a traumatising experience for young children who are at immediate risk of losing their access to education."
Friedrich said that police were being deployed at three separate schools in other parts of east Jerusalem, which has been annexed by 'Israel' since 1967.
'Israeli' forces removed children from two schools, many of whom left in tears, and posted a closure notice stating that the schools were operating illegally without "authorization".
Several young pupils, some visibly moved and others shocked, hugged in front of the school before leaving the premises.
The Palestinian Authority condemned the move in a statement to AFP, calling it a "violation of children's right to education".
In a statement, its ministry of education called the closures a "crime" and urged international institutions to "to assume their responsibilities and defend the right of refugee children to a free and safe education".
UNRWA has provided support for Palestinian refugees around the Middle East for more than 70 years, but has long clashed with 'Israeli' officials, who have repeatedly accused it of undermining the country's security.
'Wholly inadequate'
At the end of January, 'Israeli' legislation came into force severing ties with the agency, which is banned from operating on the occupied territories.
Contact between it and 'Israeli' officials is also forbidden.
'Israel' accused UNRWA of providing cover for Hamas fighters, claiming that some of the agency's employees took part in the events of October 7, 2023.
A series of investigations, including one led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, found some "neutrality-related issues" at UNRWA, but stressed 'Israel' had not provided evidence for its headline allegation.
Palestinian human rights group Adalah reported that 'Israeli' police were raiding six UNRWA-run schools in east Jerusalem.
The organisation filed a petition with 'Israel's' Supreme Court in mid-January arguing the new legislation against UNRWA violated "fundamental human rights and Israel's obligations under international law".
The Supreme Court rejected its request for the legislation to be suspended.
In April, Adalah demanded a halt to the closure orders on UNRWA-run schools at the Supreme Court.
The state responded that the Jerusalem municipality was offering alternative schooling and the court rejected the NGO's motion.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Jordan News
an hour ago
- Jordan News
11,280 Israeli Violations Against Palestinians in First Half of 2025 - Jordan News
11,280 Israeli Violations Against Palestinians in First Half of 2025 The Israeli occupation forces and extremist settlers carried out a total of 11,280 attacks against Palestinian civilians, property, land, and holy sites across the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem during the first half of 2025, according to Muayyad Shaaban, Head of the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission in the Palestinian Authority. اضافة اعلان Speaking at a press conference on Monday to announce the commission's mid-year report titled 'Violations of the Occupation State on Palestinian Lands and Colonial Expansion Policies', Shaaban stated that this sharp escalation in both the number and intensity of attacks coincides with Israel's ongoing assault on the Gaza Strip and other areas of Palestinian presence. He noted that the attacks included: Land confiscations Settlement expansion Forced displacement Field executions Land destruction and tree uprooting Property seizures Road closures and checkpoints, which fragment Palestinian geography Geographical Breakdown of Attacks: Ramallah: 1,975 incidents Hebron: 1,918 incidents Nablus: 1,784 incidents Shaaban emphasized that in the past six months, Israel has intensified its efforts to seize Palestinian territory through not only the expansion of illegal outposts and settlements, but also through unprecedented legislative measures and military orders aimed at altering the geographic and political landscape of Palestine. Settler Violence: A total of 2,153 attacks were carried out by settlers during the same period, leading to the killing of four Palestinian civilians. These attacks involved: Assaults on villages Arson attacks on homes Live fire at residents Land grabs and the establishment of new outposts Vandalism of roads and vehicles Organized, high-intensity raids—such as those in Kafr Malik, Al-Mughayyir, Beita, and Sinjil Shaaban warned that the Palestinian cause is facing its most dangerous phase yet, with Israel's policies aiming at annexation and imposition of sovereignty, putting the Palestinian people and leadership at a critical crossroads. — (Petra News Agency)


Jordan News
an hour ago
- Jordan News
Israeli Army Reveals Details of 'Black Flag' Operation Against the Houthis - Jordan News
Israeli Army Reveals Details of 'Black Flag' Operation Against the Houthis The Israeli military announced on Monday the details of Operation "Black Flag", launched to "punish" the Houthi movement, claiming it destroyed key infrastructure affiliated with the group through coordinated air and naval strikes. اضافة اعلان According to a post by IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee on platform X, dozens of Israeli warplanes, with intelligence support from the IDF Intelligence Directorate and Naval Forces, targeted infrastructure used by the Houthi regime in Al-Hudaydah, Ras Issa, As-Salif, and the Ras Kathib power station. Adraee stated: 'These ports are exploited by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer weapons from Iran, used to implement terrorist plots against Israel and its allies.' He claimed the Houthis are militarizing civilian maritime infrastructure, using it to launch attacks on international shipping and to monitor naval movements. Among the targets, Adraee said, was the commercial ship 'Galaxy Leader', which the Houthis seized in November 2023. He alleged that the group placed a radar system on the vessel to track naval activity and support their operations. He also noted that the power station in Ras Kathib was used as a key node to support the Houthis' military operations by integrating electricity for those activities. The spokesperson justified the strikes as a response to repeated Houthi attacks on Israel, including missile and drone launches targeting Israeli territory and civilian infrastructure. Adraee concluded by reaffirming the IDF's commitment to act: 'The IDF is determined to continue forcefully striking anyone who threatens the citizens of Israel, regardless of distance.' He emphasized that the Houthis act as a central proxy for Iran, receiving funding and weaponry from Tehran, and are 'partners in Iranian-sponsored terrorism worldwide.' — (Agencies)


Al Bawaba
6 hours ago
- Al Bawaba
Russia captures first village in Dnipropetrovsk region
Published July 7th, 2025 - 08:36 GMT ALBAWABA - Russia announced Monday it has taken control over a settlement in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, AFP reported. According to Russian media, this is the first village in the central region to have fallen Russian control since the war started in February 2022. The defence ministry said in a statement that Russian soldiers seized Dachne village in Dnipropetrovsk region. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (