by William M. Reilly

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday strongly condemned Israeli forces violently raiding a UN agency's training center and schools in East Jerusalem, with hundreds of students ordered to evacuate.

"I can tell you that the secretary-general strongly condemns the breach of the inviolability of United Nations premises in occupied East Jerusalem," said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for Guterres.

Dujarric said the Israeli forces raided the Kalandia Training Centre, operated by the UN relief agency for Palestinians (UNRWA), and attempted to enter three UNRWA schools forcibly and to seek their closure.

"The use of tear gas and sound bombs in educational environments while students are learning is both unnecessary and unacceptable," Dujarric said. "This is a clear violation of Israel's obligations under international law, including obligations concerning the privileges and immunities of the UN and its personnel. The inviolability of United Nations premises must be respected at all times."

The spokesman said the internal law of Israel does not alter international legal obligations, nor can it justify their breach.

The Israeli Knesset passed two laws in October, taking effect Jan. 30, to prohibit Israeli authorities from contacting UNRWA and ban the agency from operating in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank, said UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler.

Members of the Israeli government alleged some UN agency staff were not only members of Hamas but participated in the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israelis that touched off the Gaza war.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said the Israeli military forcefully entering the training center and schools were accompanied by personnel from the Jerusalem Municipality. At least 350 students and 30 staff were present and were affected. Tear gas and sound bombs were fired.

He said Israeli police officers, accompanied by staff members from the municipality, also went to UNRWA schools Tuesday morning and ordered their closure. The incidents impacted 250 students in the three UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem and the 350 trainees in the Kalandia Training Centre.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that elsewhere in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, casualties continue to be reported due to operations by the Israeli security forces in Tulkarm and Jenin in the West Bank. A child died on Tuesday from injuries sustained in an air strike in Jenin almost two weeks ago. In the Tulkarm refugee camp, Israeli authorities reportedly announced that over a dozen houses were to be demolished.

OCHA said that Palestinians continue to be displaced on a large scale by Israeli military operations, movement restrictions and home demolitions, further deepening humanitarian needs.

The office said that more than 57,000 metric tons of food have been brought into the Gaza Strip since the ceasefire took effect on Jan. 19, with the distribution of the assistance continuing.

OCHA said the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that more than 550 metric tons of animal feed were supplied to more than 2,000 families with livestock in Gaza.

UNRWA reported distributing about 2,500 tents in the Strip over the last two days.

OCHA said that in Khan Younis, its humanitarian partners were working to support water, sanitation and hygiene and completed rehabilitating three desalination plants on Sunday, providing 76,000 people with clean water access. Across the Gaza Strip, 10 field labs manage water quality, providing critical support for public health.

OCHA said it is working with partners to support primary and secondary healthcare services. More than 200,000 patients benefit weekly.

Dujarric, the spokesman, told reporters that Muhannad Hadi, the resident humanitarian coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, commented on the 53.2 billion U.S. dollars in damage and recovery assessment over the next decade for the Gaza and West Bank war.

Hadi said the overall figure reflects total estimated physical infrastructure damage of around 29.9 billion dollars, economic and social losses of around 19.1 billion dollars and the rest for service restoration and other recovery needs.

"Hadi said Palestinians will need joint action to address the immense recovery and reconstruction challenges ahead," the spokesman said. "We stand ready to support the Palestinian people both on humanitarian assistance and a future recovery and reconstruction process."

The Interim Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment released on Tuesday was conducted jointly by the United Nations, the European Union, and the World Bank. It provides a comprehensive evaluation of the destruction, economic losses, and recovery needs in Gaza and the West Bank after 15 months of conflict.

It said 20 billion dollars of the total 53.2 billion dollars was needed in the first three years to restore essential services, rebuild infrastructure, and support economic recovery. Enditem

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