Israeli forces raided a vocational center and shuttered three East Jerusalem schools, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said Tuesday.

The actions, which the United Nations Relief and Works Agency said affected some 600 students, were the latest move by Israeli authorities to banish the body from operating in its territory.

According to UNRWA, police and Jerusalem municipality staff entered the Kalandia Training Centre by force Tuesday morning, firing tear gas and sound grenades and ordering its evacuation. It said 350 students and 30 staff were present during the raid on the job-training facility, which is located just outside the Qalandiya refugee camp bordering East Jerusalem.

Police and city officials also ordered the closure of three other schools in East Jerusalem attended by around 250 children, UNRWA said. Two of the schools, which were not named by UNRWA, reportedly continued operating despite the order.

A spokesperson for the Israel Police said officers were carrying out an order from Jerusalem City Hall. A spokesperson for the municipality could not be reached.

In a statement, UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini called the moves “a violation of the basic right to education as well as of United Nations privileges and immunities.”

“Children’s access to education must be preserved and United Nations facilities must be protected and respected at........

© The Times of Israel