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Israel Seizes UNRWA Training Center in East Jerusalem as Tensions Rise Over Agency's Role

The Israeli Foreign Ministry criticized a joint statement from 15 countries and the European Union condemning Israel's entry into the UNRWA training center in Kalandia. While the international community argued that the facilities were protected under international law, Israel maintained that the actions were lawful and necessary due to UNRWA's involvement with Hamas. The administration announced that more than 100 UNRWA employees participated in the October 7 attack, a fact referenced by President Trump. Israeli authorities have begun converting the training center into an educational complex for the Jerusalem municipality. This move follows a broader campaign by Israel to reduce its involvement with UN agencies, including UNESCO and the UN Human Rights Council, which Israel claims are biased against the Jewish state. The administration also announced that it would cut ties with 66 international organizations, including 31 UN entities, during the second Trump presidency. Israel continues to assert that UNRWA's operations are hindered by a lack of political neutrality, while the agency remains a vital source of humanitarian aid for Palestinian refugees.

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