Israeli forces raid UN training centre in East Jerusalem

Itamar Ben‑Gvir, the far‑right leader of Israel’s Otzma Yehudit party, posted celebratory remarks on social media after Israeli forces raided a United Nations‑run facility in occupied East Jerusalem. The raid, carried out early on Tuesday, targeted the UN office that provides humanitarian assistance to Palestinian residents in the city, and resulted in the seizure of documents and equipment that the Israeli military described as “intelligence‑related.”

The operation, which took place in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood, was part of a broader security sweep that the Israeli Defense Forces said was aimed at preventing the spread of extremist propaganda. UN officials condemned the raid as a violation of the organization’s mandate and called for an immediate investigation. The incident has drawn criticism from several Western governments, which urged Israel to respect the UN’s right to operate freely in the occupied territories.

Ben‑Gvir’s reaction, which highlighted the raid as a “victory” for Israel’s security, underscores the growing polarization over the status of East Jerusalem. The incident is likely to intensify diplomatic pressure on Israel to uphold international law regarding UN operations in occupied areas, while domestic hard‑right factions view it as a triumph over perceived external interference.