Israeli Forces Demolish UNRWA Headquarters in East Jerusalem

Israeli forces demolished the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, known as UNRWA, in occupied East Jerusalem on Tuesday, marking a significant escalation in restrictions on the agency's operations. The raid occurred around 7 a.m. local time at the compound in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, where bulldozers razed several buildings previously used for administrative and aid storage purposes.

Led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, the Israeli military entered the site, expelled security guards and any remaining personnel, confiscated devices, and raised Israeli flags over the main structure. UNRWA, which provides essential services to nearly 6 million Palestinian refugees across the region, condemned the action as an unprecedented assault on its premises. "This is an unprecedented attack against UNRWA and its premises, and it also constitutes a serious violation of international law and the privileges and immunities of the United Nations," said agency spokesperson Jonathan Fowler.

The demolition follows a series of measures against UNRWA, including the seizure of the compound last month and an October 2024 law passed by...