News - Middle East: The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has closed its east al-Quds headquarters after Israeli settlers set fire to the compound's perimeter in the presence of the regime’s forces.

"This evening, Israeli residents set fire twice to the perimeter of the UNRWA headquarters in occupied east Jerusalem [al-Quds]," the UNRWA’s chief, Philippe Lazzarini, said on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday.
He described how "a crowd accompanied by armed men were witnessed outside the compound chanting 'Burn down the United Nations'."
Media reports said Israeli forces were present when settlers burned trees and grass on the building's property, but didn't prevent them.
"While there were no casualties among our staff, the fire caused extensive damage to the outdoor areas," Lazzarini said.
According to UNRWA, the agency’s staff members were present at the headquarters and worked to put out the fire. 
“Our director with the help of other staff had to put out the fire themselves as it took the Israeli fire extinguishers and police a while before they turned up,” said Lazzarini.
"This is an outrageous development. Once again, the lives of UN staff were at serious risk.”
Noting that it was the second attack on the compound, which has on its grounds petrol and diesel stations for a fleet of UN cars, in few days, Lazzarini said he decided to shut down the compound, given the ongoing security risk to the agency’s staff members.
"In light of this second appalling incident in less than a week, I have taken the decision to close down our compound until proper security is restored."