Israel begins demolitions at UNRWA's East Jerusalem headquarters

- Israeli forces entered a UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem early morning, removed its security guards and used bulldozers to demolish buildings, UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler said. - UNRWA called the action "an unprecedented attack" and a serious violation of international law and UN privileges; some former staff said the demolished structures stored aid for the West Bank and Gaza. - Israel passed a law in October 2024 banning UNRWA from operating in the country; far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video at the site and hailed the demolition. - Israel accuses some UNRWA staff of links to Hamas and participation in the October 7, 2023 attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis; UNRWA has dismissed some staff but says Israel has not provided evidence for all allegations and has accused Israel of a disinformation campaign. - The Israeli foreign ministry said the compound had no immunity and the seizure was carried out in accordance with Israeli and international law. - Israel’s Jerusalem municipality previously raided the compound over alleged unpaid property taxes; UNRWA says the compound remains UN premises and had no municipal debts. - Context: UNRWA provides services across East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza and elsewhere; the October 7 attack prompted Israel’s war on Hamas, which Gaza authorities say has resulted in over 71,000 Palestinian deaths. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) condemned what it called an “unprecedented attack” and “a serious violation of international law” after Israel began demolishing buildings at its East Jerusalem headquarters on 20 January 2026. Israeli forces surrounded the compound and bulldozers razed several large and smaller structures where dozens of UNRWA staff had worked; Israel said the seizure and demolition were carried out in accordance with Israeli and international law and that no UN personnel were on-site. UNRWA has not used the premises since early last year, after Israel ordered the agency to vacate and cease operations amid Israeli allegations of bias. A browser extension is preventing the video player from loading.