Israeli security forces conducted a controversial demolition of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem on Tuesday, marking an unprecedented escalation in tensions between Israel and the international organization. The operation, personally overseen by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, commenced at approximately 7:00 AM local time with armed personnel raising Israeli flags over the main administrative building.
UNRWA officials condemned the action as a severe breach of international protocols. Spokesperson Jonathan Fowler characterized the demolition as “an unprecedented attack” that violates both international law and the United Nations’ privileges and immunities. Arabic language spokesperson Adnan Abu Hasna emphasized the historical significance of the event, noting that no nation had previously removed the UN flag from agency offices in such manner.
The Israeli government justified its actions by alleging institutional connections between UNRWA and Hamas. Israel’s Foreign Ministry asserted that the compound no longer enjoyed diplomatic immunity since the agency had allegedly ceased operations at the location. Minister Ben Gvir celebrated the demolition as “a historic day for sovereignty in Jerusalem,” vowing similar treatment for what he termed “terror supporters.”
This confrontation follows Israel’s parliamentary passage of legislation in 2024 that revoked the 1967 agreement permitting UNRWA operations within Israeli-controlled territories. Humanitarian experts warn that the agency’s exclusion could severely impact approximately 5.9 million Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon who depend on UNRWA for essential services including food distribution, healthcare, education, and shelter infrastructure.
The Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate denounced the demolition as a dangerous escalation and direct assault on internationally protected UN operations. Critics argue that Israel’s systematic dismantling of UNRWA represents both a violation of the UN Charter and a potential precursor to revoking Palestinian refugee status entirely, with profound implications for regional stability and humanitarian conditions.