Israel bulldozes UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem

Jerusalem: Israeli crews have demolished the East Jerusalem headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), marking a significant escalation in the tensions between the Israeli government and the United Nations. The operation, carried out on Tuesday, also saw security forces firing teargas at a UN vocational school in Qalandia in the occupied West Bank.

According to Roland Friedrich, UNRWA’s director in the West Bank, demolition crews accompanied by police arrived at the Sheikh Jarrah compound in the early hours. Although the facility had been largely unused for nearly a year due to security threats, Israeli forces entered the premises, confiscated equipment, and expelled private security guards before bulldozers began destroying the structures.

Following the seizure, an Israeli flag was raised over the site. Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the scene, describing the demolition as "a historic day." The Israeli Foreign Ministry defended the action, stating that the compound "does not enjoy any immunity" and arguing that the seizure was conducted in accordance with Israeli and international law, as UNRWA had ceased operations there.

However, UN officials have condemned the move as a violation of international law. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s commissioner-general, warned that the demolition was an attempt to erase the Palestinian refugee identity. "This must be a wake-up call. What happens today to Unrwa will happen tomorrow to any other international organisation or diplomatic mission," Lazzarini said.

The demolition follows legislation passed by the Israeli Knesset last year banning UNRWA from operating within Israeli territory. Israel has long accused the agency of collaborating with Hamas, a charge UNRWA denies. While a US intelligence report in 2024 assessed with "low confidence" that a handful of staff may have participated in the October 7 attacks, it could not independently confirm the veracity of the claims.

The incident occurs amidst a broader crackdown on humanitarian groups. New Israeli regulations now require NGOs to dismiss staff accused of "delegitimising Israel" and to submit detailed personnel lists. Several international organisations, including Médecins Sans Frontières, have been warned that their operating licences may expire, raising concerns for the civilian population in Gaza and the West Bank who rely on these services.