East Jerusalem (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) – 21
January 2026 – Israeli forces have demolished the United Nations Relief and
Works Agency (UNRWA) headquarters compound in East Jerusalem, according to
statements from UN officials and Palestinian authorities. The action took place
early Wednesday morning following a series of prior notices and security
operations at the site. The UN has described the demolition as a violation of
international law protecting UN premises, while Israel maintains the move
addresses unauthorised construction and security threats in the area.
The UNRWA compound, located in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood
of occupied East Jerusalem, served as the agency’s regional headquarters
responsible for operations across the West Bank, Gaza and Jordan. UNRWA
Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini confirmed the demolition in a statement
issued hours after the incident, noting that agency staff had been evacuated
prior to the operation. Palestinian residents reported heavy machinery and
security forces arriving at dawn, completing the demolition within several hours.
Sequence of events leading to UNRWA headquarters demolition
Credit: LIA YEFIMOVICH / AFP
Israeli municipal authorities had issued multiple demolition orders against the UNRWA compound over preceding months, citing violations of local zoning regulations and building permits. The site, originally established in 1949 following the agency’s creation by UN General Assembly Resolution 302, expanded over decades to accommodate administrative offices, warehouses and staff facilities. Final notices were delivered last week, prompting partial evacuation of equipment and documents.
Witnesses described Israeli police cordoning off surrounding
streets before bulldozers began razing structures, starting with outer
perimeter buildings and progressing to the main headquarters block. UNRWA staff
documented the process via photographs and video, which were later shared with
international media. No injuries were reported, as the compound had been
largely vacated following security advisories issued on Monday.
UNRWA response and immediate operational impacts
UNRWA leadership convened an emergency meeting in Amman to
assess the situation and coordinate continuity measures. Commissioner-General
Lazzarini stated that the agency maintains backup facilities across Jerusalem
and the region, ensuring essential services continue uninterrupted. The
demolished headquarters housed administrative functions including human
resources, procurement and programme coordination for education, health and
relief operations serving registered Palestinian refugees.
The agency reported transferring critical operations to
alternate locations within hours of the demolition. UNRWA serves approximately
5.9 million registered refugees with education for 500,000 children, healthcare
for 1.7 million patients annually and emergency assistance in conflict zones.
Regional directors confirmed that field operations in Gaza, West Bank and
neighbouring countries remain fully functional.
Israeli authorities’ stated rationale for the demolition action
Credit: MOSTAFA ALKHAROUF / ANADOLU VIA AFP
Jerusalem Municipality officials explained the demolition as enforcement of building codes against structures lacking proper permits, a practice applied to numerous sites across the city. The municipality highlighted previous court rulings upholding demolition orders for the UNRWA compound, dating back to 2019 challenges. Security services cited intelligence regarding potential militant activity in the vicinity, though no specific incidents were linked directly to UNRWA operations.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement noting that UN
premises do not enjoy absolute immunity when violating host country laws,
referencing similar actions against other international compounds. Military
sources confirmed coordination between police, engineers and municipal
inspectors to ensure structural safety during demolition. The site will remain
under Israeli security control pending future zoning determinations.
International reactions to East Jerusalem UNRWA demolition
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called the
demolition “unacceptable” and requested immediate access for UN inspectors to
assess damage and recover materials. The UN Security Council scheduled emergency
consultations following requests from several member states. European Union
foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed concern over impacts on
humanitarian operations, urging preservation of UN infrastructure.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the
action as an escalation targeting international institutions supporting refugee
rights. Foreign ministers from Arab League states issued a joint statement
demanding UN General Assembly action to protect UNRWA operations. Jordan, host
to UNRWA’s largest field operations, summoned the Israeli ambassador to protest
the demolition.
Legal context surrounding UNRWA property in occupied territories
UNRWA operates under host country agreements granting
privileges and immunities, including protection of premises, as codified in the
1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. The
agency’s presence in East Jerusalem stems from 1950s arrangements with
Jordanian authorities, later contested following 1967 territorial changes.
Multiple International Court of Justice advisory opinions affirm special
protections for UN facilities in occupied territories.
Israeli courts have previously ruled on UNRWA property
disputes, balancing municipal regulations against international obligations.
The 2023 Jerusalem District Court decision upheld demolition orders while
allowing appeals processes, which UNRWA pursued unsuccessfully. Legal experts
note ongoing tensions between local enforcement and UN status agreements across
multiple jurisdictions.
Historical background of the Sheikh Jarrah UNRWA compound
The East Jerusalem headquarters originated as a repurposed
military barracks allocated to UNRWA shortly after the agency’s founding. Over
seven decades, the compound evolved into a 12-building complex employing 120
staff and coordinating multi-million-dollar programmes. Key functions included
emergency response planning, donor coordination and regional training centres
for health workers and teachers.
The site gained prominence during periodic escalations,
serving as a distribution hub for aid convoys and medical supplies. UNRWA
invested over $20 million in upgrades since 2000, including solar power systems
and reinforced bunkers. Demolition removes a central node in the agency’s
regional architecture, established through successive UN budgets approved by
member states.
Operational relocation plans and service continuity measures
UNRWA announced immediate relocation of headquarters
functions to the agency’s Amman regional office and West Bank field facilities.
Backup servers and document archives, maintained across multiple sites per
standard protocol, ensure data integrity. Field directors in Gaza, Lebanon and
Syria confirmed no disruptions to frontline services including schools, clinics
and cash assistance programmes.
The agency requested host government support for temporary
facilities in East Jerusalem, citing ongoing need for coordination proximate to
operations. UNRWA’s 13,000 staff across five fields of operation report
directly through alternate channels, with digital platforms enabling real-time
reporting. Donor governments received briefings on continuity plans,
reaffirming multi-year funding commitments.
Broader implications for UN operations in Jerusalem
The demolition occurs amid heightened scrutiny of UN
activities in Jerusalem, where multiple agencies maintain offices under similar
legal frameworks. UNESCO and UN Development Programme facilities nearby
continue operations under heightened security. The incident follows recent
inspections of UN compounds by Israeli authorities, citing compliance with
construction standards.
UNRWA’s unique mandate, focused exclusively on Palestinian
refugees, distinguishes it from other UN bodies operating in the region. The
agency’s $1.2 billion annual budget supports operations across Jordan, Lebanon,
Syria, West Bank and Gaza, funded primarily by voluntary contributions from
European and Gulf states. Loss of the East Jerusalem hub necessitates budget
reallocations for rental and construction costs.
Palestinian perspectives on the UNRWA headquarters demolition
Palestinian Authority officials described the demolition as
part of systematic restrictions on international presence in East Jerusalem.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs documented the event as contravening Oslo
Accords commitments on UN operations. Local residents in Sheikh Jarrah
neighbourhood reported the site provided employment and community services
including vocational training.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad statements framed the action within
narratives of territorial consolidation, calling for international sanctions.
East Jerusalem governorate officials coordinated with UNRWA for property
documentation, preserving claims under international law. Palestinian
legislative council members raised the issue in virtual sessions, demanding
Arab League intervention.
Israeli municipal enforcement patterns in East Jerusalem
Credit: AA Photo
Jerusalem Municipality records show consistent application of demolition orders across East Jerusalem since 1967, targeting over 1,000 structures annually for permit violations. UNRWA compounds feature among dozens of international and NGO sites receiving notices. Recent court-mandated surveys identified unauthorised expansions at the Sheikh Jarrah site, prompting accelerated enforcement.
Municipal spokesman noted parallel actions against
Israeli-owned properties, emphasising equal application of zoning laws.
Engineering reports cited structural risks from unpermitted additions,
justifying urgent demolition. Post-operation, the site will undergo
environmental cleanup per local regulations before potential rezoning
processes.
UNRWA funding and mandate renewal amid the incident
The demolition coincides
with ongoing negotiations for UNRWA’s mandate renewal, due before General
Assembly in December 2026. Major donors including Germany, Sweden and the
European Commission reaffirmed support post-incident. The agency’s 2025-2026 budget
appeal seeks $2.3 billion, with East Jerusalem functions now requiring
supplemental allocations.
UNRWA’s Commissioner-General plans briefings for donor
capitals, detailing relocation timelines and cost impacts. The incident
underscores vulnerabilities in physical infrastructure across conflict zones,
prompting reviews of contingency planning. Agency leadership maintains
operational resilience demonstrated during previous crises including Gaza
blockades and Syrian refugee surges.