UNRWA warns against closure of Qalandia training center: will harm thousands of Palestinian refugees

UNRWA has warned against any Israeli step to close or confiscate the Qalandia training center in occupied Jerusalem, stressing that the center continues its work and that any harm to it will affect thousands of Palestinian refugees, especially children and youth. It noted that the center was established in 1952, receives about 340 trainees annually, offers 16 vocational specialties, and that 90% of its graduates find employment. It revealed six Israeli incursions since the beginning of 2026 and ten fires caused by gas canisters, and expressed concern over a plan by the Jerusalem municipality to develop the site for Israeli facilities.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has warned against any Israeli step aimed at closing or confiscating the Qalandia training center in occupied Jerusalem, stressing that the center continues its operations and that any harm to it would affect Palestinian refugees, especially children and youth. In a statement, the agency said it is aware of what it called "false information" about the center, and that it is neither closed nor abandoned, and continues to provide vocational training and education programs. It emphasized that education is at the core of its mandate, providing basic education to about 48,000 children in the West Bank and vocational training programs to more than 2,000 young men and women. It mentioned that the Qalandia center was established in 1952, receives about 340 trainees annually, offers 16 vocational specialties, and that about 90% of its graduates find job opportunities. It revealed that since the beginning of 2026, the center has witnessed six Israeli incursions and ten fires caused by tear gas canisters. It expressed concern over a plan by the Jerusalem municipality, prepared in April 2026, to develop the site for Israeli facilities, which might require demolishing most of the structures. It warned that implementing the plan raises concerns about Israel's international obligations, noting that the International Court of Justice affirmed in October 2025 Israel's obligations towards the agency. It also mentioned that in May 2025, the occupation authorities forcibly closed six of its schools in Jerusalem, affecting about 800 children.