ISRAEL has permanently closed six schools operated by UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, in East Jerusalem, forcing students to leave early today.

This action has left more than 800 students without access to education.

A 30-day closure notice was issued last month by Israeli officials, claiming that the schools were operating without a proper licence – an excuse also frequently used to evict Palestinians from their homes.

UNRWA is a primary provider of education and healthcare to Palestinian refugees across the region.

While its West Bank schools remain open, Israel has banned the agency from operating within its territory.

The Israeli Education Ministry said that the affected students would be transferred to other schools in Jerusalem. 

But parents and staff say the alternative schools are harder to reach and some students may have to pass through crowded and militarised checkpoints every day.

Others lack the necessary permits to cross into other parts of the city.

UNRWA administrators said they had hoped to keep the schools open for “as long as possible.”