Israel demolishes UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah

Israeli authorities began demolishing buildings at the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) headquarters in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood on Tuesday morning. Israeli forces entered the compound after 7:00 a.m., removed security personnel, and allowed bulldozers to tear down parts of the facility. Photographs show heavy machinery at the site with an Israeli flag raised above it. Israel's far-right National Security Minister, Itamar Ben Gvir, visited the location, calling it a 'historic day' and vowing similar action against others he accused of supporting terrorism.

UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler condemned the demolition as a serious breach of international law and UN privileges and immunities, warning it sets a dangerous precedent for international organisations worldwide. The agency had already vacated the site in January 2025 after Israeli legislation banned UNRWA operations in East Jerusalem, which Israel considers part of its annexed territory. UNRWA continues to operate in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israel's foreign ministry defended the action, stating the compound belongs to the Israeli state and does not enjoy diplomatic immunity, citing existing laws related to UNRWA and Hamas. Israel has repeatedly accused UNRWA of being infiltrated by Hamas, but investigations, including one led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, found only issues related to neutrality without conclusive evidence for the most serious accusations.

Tensions escalated in December when UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini accused Israeli authorities of seizing assets from the premises. Both Lazzarini and UN Secretary-General António Guterres were later declared persona non grata by Israel. The demolition follows years of disputes over UNRWA's role in Gaza and ongoing conflict since October 2023.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/20/israel-starts-demolition-of-unrwa-headquarters-in-east-jerusalem/