Jerusalem (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) January 20,
2026 – Israeli forces demolished the headquarters of the United Nations Relief
and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in occupied East Jerusalem on
Tuesday. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir led the operation, which
began around 7am local time at the Ma'alot Dafna compound. The demolition
followed a 2024 Israeli law banning UNRWA operations in Israel and occupied
territories.
Israeli police and Israel Land Authority officials raided
the 46-dunam (11.4-acre) site, raising Israeli flags over the main building
before bulldozers razed the structures. The compound had served as UNRWA's
Jerusalem headquarters for decades but ceased operations after the agency
abandoned it nearly a year ago. Illegal squatters had occupied the site
following UNRWA's departure.
Ben-Gvir described the event as a
“historic day, a holiday, a very important day for governance”.
He stated that the government was removing
“terror supporters ... along with everything they built here,”
adding that
“this will be the fate of every supporter of terrorism.”
UNRWA Condemns Demolition as Violation of International Law
Credit: AFP PIC
UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler described the raid as “an unprecedented attack” on the agency and its premises. He told AFP that Israeli forces “stormed into” the compound, constituting a “serious violation of international law and the privileges and immunities of the United Nations.”
Adnan Abu Hasna, UNRWA’s Arabic language spokesperson, noted
that no country had ever removed the UN flag from its offices as Israel had
done. The Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate called the demolition “a dangerous
escalation” and a direct attack on a UN agency protected by international
immunity.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry defended the action, stating that
“UNRWA-Hamas had already ceased operations at this site and no longer had any
UN personnel or activity there.” The ministry claimed the compound did not
enjoy immunity and that the seizure complied with Israeli and international
law.
Background on Israel's UNRWA Ban Legislation
Credit: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters
Israel’s parliament passed a law in October 2024 banning UNRWA from operating in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The legislation revoked a 1967 agreement allowing the agency to function in Israeli-controlled areas. The move followed allegations of UNRWA staff involvement in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel.
UNRWA provides services to approximately 2 million
Palestinians in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and East Jerusalem, as well as 3
million refugees in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. The agency maintains
infrastructure in refugee camps, operates schools, and delivers healthcare.
Critics, including UN and humanitarian experts, warned that
the ban could severely impact millions reliant on UNRWA services. The
demolition marked enforcement of the ban at the Jerusalem site.
Details of the Demolition Operation
The operation commenced early Tuesday morning with police
securing the area. Ben-Gvir arrived at the scene to oversee the bulldozing of
buildings. Footage showed heavy machinery dismantling structures while Israeli
flags flew over the site.
The compound in northern Jerusalem's Ma'alot Dafna
neighbourhood had been empty of UNRWA activity for nearly a year. Authorities
reclaimed the land previously used as the agency's Israeli headquarters.
Ben-Gvir hailed the demolition as advancing Israeli
sovereignty in Jerusalem. He referenced ongoing measures against what he termed
terror-linked entities.
Reactions from Palestinian and International Sources
The Palestinian Jerusalem Governorate condemned the action
as an escalation targeting UN facilities. Local reports highlighted the site's role
in serving Palestinian refugees.
UNRWA emphasised the agency's critical role amid regional
humanitarian needs. Fowler reiterated the legal protections afforded to UN
premises.
Israel maintained that the site posed no ongoing UN
operational concerns. The Foreign Ministry pointed to prior cessation of
activities there.
Historical Context of UNRWA in Jerusalem
Credit: 1963 UNRWA Archive (Photographer Unknown)
UNRWA established its Jerusalem headquarters decades ago under the 1967 agreement. The agency shuttered the office in 2024 amid intensifying Israeli pressure, including settler attacks. Legislation labelling UNRWA a terrorist organisation had been under consideration.
The October 2024
ban formalised restrictions on operations. Tuesday's demolition completed
the site's reclamation by Israeli authorities.
Ben-Gvir's involvement aligned with his prior directives on
security enforcement in Jerusalem. Police acted under his orders in related
past incidents.
Implications for UN Operations in the Region
UNRWA continues services elsewhere despite the Jerusalem
closure. The agency supports education, health, and camp infrastructure for
refugees.
International observers noted potential precedents for UN
facilities. Palestinian sources decried impacts on community aid access.
Israeli officials framed the demolition as lawful property
enforcement. No immediate injuries or arrests were reported during the
operation.