United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a forceful condemnation of Israel’s demolition of a United Nations facility in East Jerusalem, characterizing the action as a severe breach of international law. Through deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq, Guterres denounced the destruction of the Sheikh Jarrah compound operated by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the strongest possible terms.
The demolition, which occurred on January 20, 2026, targeted a facility that the UN chief had previously identified as inviolable United Nations premises enjoying full diplomatic immunity. Guterres referenced his prior communication to the Israeli Prime Minister dated January 8, 2026, in which he explicitly affirmed the compound’s protected status under international agreements.
The Secretary-General demanded the immediate cessation of any further demolition activities and called for the complete restoration of the destroyed compound and other UNRWA facilities to their original condition without delay. He characterized the escalating actions against UNRWA as fundamentally unacceptable and inconsistent with Israel’s obligations under multiple international legal frameworks, including the UN Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
The incident represents a significant escalation in tensions between Israeli authorities and international organizations operating in contested territories, raising serious concerns about the protection of diplomatic premises and humanitarian operations in the region.