New Delhi, January 20, 2026, 05:43 p.m. IST
Israeli forces demolished the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem on Tuesday, sparking outrage from the United Nations and warnings of potential legal action at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Demolition Details and Israeli Justification
Bulldozers razed buildings at the compound in Sheikh Jarrah shortly after 7 a.m. local time. Israeli troops entered the site, removed security staff, seized equipment, and raised an Israeli flag over the ruins. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir celebrated the move as a “historic day” for governance in Jerusalem.
The Israel Land Authority, together with law enforcement, began to demolish the UNRWA HQ compound in Jerusalem this morning after @YuliaMalinovsky's law passed, prohibiting the organization from operating in Israel. pic.twitter.com/Q5asUC0nOs
— Israel National News – Arutz Sheva (@ArutzSheva_En) January 20, 2026
Israel’s Foreign Ministry defended the action under domestic law. Officials stated the site no longer hosted UN activities since UNRWA vacated it earlier this year. They cited 2024 Knesset legislation banning UNRWA operations in Israeli-controlled areas, with 2025 amendments allowing utility cutoffs and property seizures.
UNRWA and UN Response
Jonathan Fowler, UNRWA spokesperson, called it an “unprecedented attack” and a violation of international law, including UN privileges and immunities. He noted risks to all diplomatic missions worldwide.
The move follows a January 8 letter from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Guterres threatened ICJ referral unless Israel repeals anti-UNRWA laws and returns seized assets.
“A new level of open and deliberate defiance of international law, including of the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, by the State of Israel.
— UNRWA (@UNRWA) January 20, 2026
Early this morning, Israeli forces stormed the UNRWA Headquarters, a United Nations site, in East Jerusalem.
Bulldozers… pic.twitter.com/mKHg30KG7p
Background on Tensions
Israel accuses UNRWA of Hamas ties, including staff involvement in the October 7, 2023, attack. A 2024 probe by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna found neutrality issues but no conclusive proof from Israel.
UNRWA serves 5.9 million Palestinian refugees with education, health, and aid in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. The agency lost major donor funding post-October 7 but has since restored most ties.
Broader Implications
Critics see this as part of Israel’s campaign against UN bodies amid the Gaza war, now in its third year. Palestinian officials condemned it as collective punishment. Rights groups like Human Rights Watch urged international intervention.
Israel maintains UNRWA perpetuates the refugee crisis and shields militants. The demolition site now flies the Israeli flag, symbolizing control over East Jerusalem, claimed by Palestinians as their future capital.
As legal battles loom, the incident heightens global scrutiny on Israel’s UN relations and the stalled peace process.
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