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yesterday

Israel Enforces Closure of Three UNRWA Schools in East Jerusalem

The closures leave 800 Palestinian refugee children without clear educational options as Israeli authorities promise alternative placements.

Students walk out of UNRWA Girls School run by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees in the Shuafat Refugee Camp in east Jerusalem, Thursday, May 8, 2025. After Israeli forces ordered the closure of six of its schools in east Jerusalem Thursday. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)
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A woman passes the front entrance to the UNRWA Boys' School run by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees in the Shuafat Refugee Camp in east Jerusalem, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
Students stand outside of UNRWA Girls School run by the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees in the Shuafat Refugee Camp in east Jerusalem, Thursday, May 8, 2025. After Israeli forces ordered the closure of six of its schools in east Jerusalem Thursday. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Overview

  • Israeli forces closed three UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem on May 8, enforcing a ban on the agency's operations in the annexed area.
  • Closure orders cited licensing issues, with Israeli authorities pledging to reassign students to other schools in Jerusalem.
  • UNRWA reported that 800 Palestinian refugee children, including 100 with West Bank IDs, face significant hurdles in accessing alternative education.
  • Israeli police deployed tear gas in the Shuafat schoolyard during the enforcement, causing distress among children and staff.
  • The Palestinian Authority and UNRWA condemned the closures as violations of children's right to education, raising international humanitarian concerns.