Japan slams arson attack on UN refugee agency’s headquarters in East Jerusalem

TOKYO

Japan on Friday slammed the arson attack on the headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in the occupied East Jerusalem by a group of Israeli extremists.

The destruction of UN facilities is "absolutely unacceptable," Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa told reporters in Tokyo.

Kamikawa stressed the significant role of UNRWA in supporting Palestinian refugees.

An environment must be created where international organizations can fulfill their missions properly, said Kamikawa, urging Israel to “take necessary measures."

Kamikawa reiterated Japan’s opposition to a military operation that would have devastating consequences for the civilian population in Rafah city.

Kamikawa expressed deep concerns about the worsening humanitarian situation in the region.

On Thursday night, Israeli extremists set on fire twice the perimeter of the agency’s headquarters while the staff was in the compound, putting lives at serious risk, according to UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.

Protesters were chanting “burn down the United Nations,” and the UN staff had to put out the fire themselves.

The Israeli army on Tuesday stormed and occupied the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, closing Gazan Palestinians' only gateway to the world.

Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip in retaliation for an Oct. 7 attack by Hamas which killed about 1,200 people.

More than 34,900 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, mostly women and children, and 78,514 others injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Over seven months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins, pushing 85% of the enclave’s population into internal displacement amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water, and medicine, according to the UN.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz