Israeli demolition crews, backed by security forces, have razed the main administrative compound of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in occupied East Jerusalem. The operation, which began in the early hours, also involved the firing of teargas at a separate UN vocational training facility in the West Bank town of Qalandia.
Authorities stated the demolition was a lawful enforcement action, arguing the site had been inactive for nearly a year and no longer held protected UN status. They reiterated longstanding allegations that the agency maintains ties to militant groups, a claim UNRWA has consistently denied.
Agency officials condemned the move as a severe breach of international law, asserting that the premises were entitled to protection. The director of UNRWA operations in the West Bank described the demolition as the peak of a two-year campaign of incitement and obstruction against the organization in Jerusalem.
Following the clearance of the site in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, an Israeli flag was raised over the property. Senior Israeli political figures visited the location, with the national security minister hailing the event as “a historic day.”
Established in 1949, UNRWA is mandated to provide essential aid, education, and healthcare to millions of registered Palestinian refugees across the region, including in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Its operations have been a focal point of political controversy for years.
The agency’s work was severely restricted last year following Israeli legislation that severed official ties and banned its activities within areas Israel claims as its sovereign territory. This latest physical demolition follows months of protests and blockades by activist groups at the Jerusalem headquarters.
In a statement, the head of UNRWA warned that the targeting of an international body sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting that other organizations could face similar actions in the future.
The demolition occurs amidst a wider tightening of regulations on humanitarian and non-governmental groups operating in the Palestinian territories. New laws compel these organizations to dismiss staff accused of supporting activism against Israel and to submit comprehensive employee rosters to maintain their licenses. Several major international aid groups have received notices that their operating permits will not be renewed, measures critics describe as arbitrary and likely to worsen an already severe humanitarian situation.