ISTANBUL

Norway on Friday called for accountability after Israeli extremists attacked the headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in the occupied East Jerusalem.

Expressing that he was “shocked” by the attack, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said on X: "As host country, Israel has a duty to protect UN personnel and premises at any time."

He said that UNRWA is the “lifeline for millions of Palestine refugees,” adding: “The incidents must be investigated, those responsible must be held accountable.”

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

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