Israeli engineering and construction crews have begun demolishing a United Nations headquarters in East Jerusalem, marking a significant escalation in the government’s restrictions on humanitarian organizations that provide assistance to Palestinians.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) stated on X that Israeli forces confiscated staff devices and forcibly removed employees from its headquarters located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.
According to UNRWA, the incident represents an unprecedented attack not only on the agency itself but on United Nations premises as a whole. The organization said the move constitutes a serious breach of international law, as well as a violation of the privileges and immunities granted to the United Nations.
Israel has long criticized UNRWA, accusing it of holding pro-Palestinian views and alleging links to Hamas. The UN agency has repeatedly and firmly denied these claims.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the demolition was carried out in accordance with a newly enacted law that bans UNRWA from operating. Israeli officials argue that the organization has ties to militant groups, including Hamas.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said in a statement that he accompanied the crews to the site, describing the operation as a “historic day.”
UNRWA maintains infrastructure in Palestinian refugee camps and operates schools and health services for Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, as well as in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Palestinians view the agency as essential for ensuring access to basic services, though it has remained a frequent target of Israeli criticism for decades.
In 2018, the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump cut funding to UNRWA. Last year, Israel’s Knesset passed legislation prohibiting the agency from functioning in areas Israel defines as its territory, including East Jerusalem, where the headquarters is located.
The ban aligns with broader efforts by Israel to deregister and restrict aid groups operating in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. New laws require nongovernmental organizations to avoid employing staff involved in activities deemed to “delegitimize Israel” or support boycotts, and mandate the submission of staff lists as a condition for continued operation.
Israeli authorities have informed dozens of humanitarian organizations that their operating licenses are set to expire at the end of 2025.