Israeli authorities on Tuesday began demolishing buildings at the East Jerusalem headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, a move the agency has condemned as an unprecedented assault on United Nations property.
According to UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler, Israeli forces entered the compound in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood shortly after 7:00 a.m, removed security personnel, and allowed bulldozers to move in and tear down parts of the facility.
Fowler described the action as a serious breach of international law and of the privileges and immunities granted to the United Nations, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent for the treatment of international organisations worldwide.
Photographs from the scene showed heavy machinery razing structures inside the compound, with an Israeli flag raised above the site.
It is also reported that Israel’s far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, briefly visited the location during the operation.
In remarks attributed to him, Ben Gvir hailed the demolitions as a “historic day” for Jerusalem, claiming the site had long been used by what he described as supporters of terrorism and vowing similar action against others accused of the same.
Israel has repeatedly alleged that UNRWA has been infiltrated by Hamas, asserting that some staff members were involved in the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
However, several investigations, including one led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, found only issues related to neutrality and said Israel had not presented conclusive evidence to support its most serious accusations.
Defending the demolitions, Israel’s foreign ministry said the Jerusalem compound belongs to the Israeli state and does not enjoy diplomatic immunity.
It maintained that the action was carried out under existing Israeli laws related to UNRWA and Hamas, and not as part of any new policy.
The ministry added that UNRWA had already vacated the site in January 2025, after legislation banning the agency’s operations in East Jerusalem came into force following months of disputes over its role in Gaza.
Despite the ban in East Jerusalem, which Israel considers part of its annexed territory, UNRWA continues to operate in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Tensions surrounding the compound escalated in December, when UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini accused Israeli authorities of seizing furniture, IT equipment, and other assets from the premises, and replacing the UN flag with an Israeli one.
At the time, UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly criticised the move, insisting the compound remained inviolable UN property.
Both Guterres and Lazzarini were later declared persona non grata by Israel, several months after the Gaza conflict erupted in October 2023.
Israel starts demolition of UNRWA Headquarters in East Jerusalem
