The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees on Thursday decried an "assault on children" after Israel closed all six of its schools in annexed east Jerusalem, months after an Israeli ban on its activities took effect.

"Storming schools & forcing them shut is a blatant disregard of international law", UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini posted on X, describing the move as "An assault on children. An assault on education".

UNRWA spokesman Jonathan Fowler told AFP that Israeli forces "closed six United Nations schools in annexed east Jerusalem on Thursday, posting closure orders on the six buildings and forcibly entering three of the six schools".

An AFP photographer present at two of the schools in the Shuafat refugee camp reported that Israeli forces entered the premises and posted a closure notice stating the schools were operating without "authorisation".

The children had to leave the premises, with many departing in tears. Several young pupils, some visibly moved and others shocked, hugged in front of the school before they........

© Al Monitor