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Demolition of UNRWA buildings
On 20 January 2026 Israeli forces carried out pre-dawn raids that demolished UNRWA buildings at the Sheikh Jarrah compound in occupied East Jerusalem, destroying offices and donor-maintained warehouses that have served Palestine refugees for decades.
“On 20 January 2026, Israeli forces demolished UNRWA offices and donor warehouses in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem—an action UNRWA says caps a two-year campaign of hostile measures against the agency and violates international law.”
UNRWA, its West Bank director and the agency’s commissioner-general called the operation an unprecedented attack and a blatant defiance of international law, while the United Nations and the Palestinian Authority condemned the demolition and urged Israel to restore the site.
Reports describe bulldozers, heavy machinery and the removal of UN flags as Israeli forces seized the compound that Israel says belongs to the state.
Official reactions to seizure
Israeli officials and hardline ministers publicly celebrated the seizure.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the action "a historic day."
Jerusalem deputy mayor Aryeh King labelled UNRWA "Nazi," and Israeli spokespeople said the takeover was lawful and accused UNRWA of harbouring Hamas members.
Israeli statements in several reports described the compound as state property and suggested the operation removed a hub of so-called terror supporters.
UN response to demolition
The United Nations and UNRWA leadership said the demolition breached international law and violated UN privileges.
“UN Secretary‑General António Guterres urged Israel to immediately stop the destruction and restore the UNRWA site and other agency premises, warning in a Jan. 8 letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the UN cannot ignore actions that contravene international law.”
UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged Israel to stop the destruction and to restore the site, citing obligations under the UN Charter.
UNRWA warned the measures contravene an October 2024 International Court of Justice ruling that Israel must facilitate UNRWA’s operations and stated that Israel has no jurisdiction over East Jerusalem.
Restrictions on UNRWA operations
The demolition is part of a broader campaign of measures that have curtailed UNRWA's ability to operate.
Israeli laws and administrative steps forced evacuation of staff from the East Jerusalem site.
International funding was previously cut by the United States.
UN inquiries have led to the dismissal of some UNRWA employees amid allegations that Israel has not fully substantiated.
UNRWA and other outlets warn these actions threaten the agency's ability to deliver services to millions of Palestinian refugees.
Warnings on UNRWA attacks
UNRWA and UN officials warned that attacks on the agency endanger other international organisations and risk eroding international law if member states do not respond.
“its commissioner-general warned that attacks on UNRWA threaten other international organizations and risk rendering international law ineffective without member‑state responses.”
The agency said the demolition and prior restrictions "surpass" recent Israeli legal amendments and could prompt similar actions against other humanitarian actors.
The demolition coincided with reported policing actions that injured students at a UNRWA vocational school, including a 15-year-old struck by a rubber bullet.