Israel demolishes UNRWA headquarters in east Jerusalem
Israeli forces razed buildings at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency headquarters in occupied east Jerusalem early Tuesday, prompting sharp condemnation from the UN agency as an unprecedented assault and a flagrant breach of international law. Around 7 a.m. local time, troops entered the Sheikh Jarrah compound, removed security staff, seized equipment, and deployed heavy machinery to tear down structures. An Israeli flag now flies over the site, supplanting the UN banner.
National security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the scene, hailing the operation as a historic milestone for Jerusalem's governance. He accused the agency of long harboring terrorism supporters and celebrated their expulsion along with their facilities. Israel's foreign ministry countered that the site had been abandoned by UNRWA, lacked immunity, and the action complied with both domestic and international law.
The demolition stems from legislation passed by Israel's Knesset in October 2024, which banned UNRWA operations in Israeli-controlled areas and severed official ties. The measure took effect early last year, prompting international staff to vacate the east Jerusalem complex. A December 2025 amendment further enabled authorities to cut off water and electricity to UNRWA sites.
UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler dismissed Israel's rationale, labeling the move a direct violation of UN privileges and immunities. He cautioned that such aggression against the agency could presage attacks on other global organizations or diplomatic missions. The incident follows closely on a January 8 letter from UN Secretary-General António Guterres to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, threatening recourse to the International Court of Justice unless the laws are repealed and seized assets returned.
Israel has long alleged UNRWA's ties to Hamas, claiming some staff took part in the October 7, 2023, assault. A 2024 independent probe led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna identified neutrality issues but found no solid evidence for Israel's core claims. The agency delivers education, health, and social services to nearly 5.9 million registered Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.
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