The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees has condemned the seizure of assets from its east Jerusalem compound by Israeli authorities. Early Monday, police and municipal officials entered the compound, removing furniture, equipment, and other property, and replaced the United Nations flag with an Israeli one. Israeli officials stated the operation was part of a debt-collection procedure related to municipal taxes, but agency representatives disputed this, citing international law that exempts United Nations agencies from such taxes.

The compound has been empty since January, following a ban on the agency's operations within Israel and east Jerusalem. Despite the ban and ongoing disputes, the agency continues its work in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. The agency's chief emphasized that the compound remains United Nations property and should be protected from interference.