Israel Demolishes UNRWA Headquarters in Occupied East Jerusalem

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.

“UNRWA said Israel’s presence in East Jerusalem is “illegal and must end as soon as possible” after Israeli authorities began demolishing parts of the agency’s complex there”

Al-Jazeera Net

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.

Al-Jazeera Net

Reports describe bulldozers, heavy machinery and the removal of UN flags as Israeli forces seized the compound that Israel says belongs to the state.

Israeli officials and hardline ministers publicly celebrated the seizure.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the action "a historic day."

allisrael

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.

The United Nations and UNRWA leadership said the demolition breached international law and violated UN privileges.

“JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir led Israeli forces on Tuesday to demolish structures inside the headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in occupied East Jerusalem”

Anadolu Ajansı

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.

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.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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.

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.

“Israeli demolition teams, accompanied by police, have begun tearing down the headquarters of the UN's Palestinian refugee agency, Unrwa, in occupied East Jerusalem”

BBC

The agency said the demolition and prior restrictions "surpass" recent Israeli legal amendments and could prompt similar actions against other humanitarian actors.

BBC

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.