Israel Demolishes UNRWA Headquarters in East Jerusalem Following Legislative Ban

On the morning of January 20, 2026, Israeli authorities proceeded with the demolition of buildings located within the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) complex. Situated in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem, the operation was a direct consequence of legislative measures enacted by the Knesset in October 2024. These laws formally prohibited UNRWA from operating within Israel and terminated all official communication and cooperation between the agency and Israeli state authorities.

The use of bulldozers and heavy machinery to clear the site was met with immediate condemnation from the United Nations, which labeled the move a violation of international law. UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq delivered a statement from Secretary-General António Guterres, who argued that these escalatory actions are in direct conflict with Israel’s obligations under the UN Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini described the demolition as a targeted "attack" and a "new level of open and deliberate disregard for international law." He further noted that the destruction of the facility is part of an ongoing campaign aimed at discrediting the agency and its humanitarian mission. The move has raised significant concerns about the future of international protections for UN assets in the region.

In response to the international outcry, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the complex no longer held diplomatic immunity. The ministry claimed that UNRWA had already ceased its activities at the location and that all UN personnel had vacated the site. Israeli officials asserted that the takeover was consistent with both national and international law, pointing to allegations of ties between UNRWA staff and Hamas. Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who attended the demolition, described the event as a "historic" moment for Jerusalem’s sovereignty and the removal of "terror accomplices."

The context for this demolition dates back to the end of 2024, when the Knesset passed laws banning the agency, a move that drew criticism from the United States and the United Kingdom over its impact on aid to Gaza. By late December 2025, the legal framework was expanded to include the disconnection of electricity to UNRWA facilities. On January 8, 2026, the UN Secretary-General had warned the Israeli Prime Minister in a formal letter that the UN might refer the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) if the laws were not repealed.

The demolished headquarters had served for decades as a central logistics and operations hub for UNRWA in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. Established on December 8, 1949, the agency is one of the UN's largest programs, providing vital services to Palestinian refugees in several regions:

• The Gaza Strip and the West Bank
• East Jerusalem
• Syria and Lebanon

The Jerusalem Governorate also condemned the operation, characterizing it as a blatant assault on the agency's international immunity. Philippe Lazzarini concluded that the incident sets a dangerous precedent for all humanitarian organizations operating in conflict zones, warning that it fundamentally undermines the mandate and safety of international aid workers.