Israeli crews begin bulldozing headquarters of UN agency for Palestinian refugees in east Jerusalem

Israeli authorities began demolishing the Jerusalem headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) on Tuesday, escalating a long-running campaign against the organization responsible for providing humanitarian services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East.

Bulldozers and police arrived at the facility in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood early morning, according to Roland Friedrich, UNRWA’s West Bank director. While staff haven’t operated from the building for nearly a year due to safety concerns and what the agency describes as incitement, Israeli forces removed private security personnel and confiscated equipment from the premises.

“What we saw today is the culmination of two years of incitement and measures against UNRWA in east Jerusalem,” Friedrich said, calling the action a violation of international law that guarantees protection for UN facilities.

The demolition represents the most dramatic step yet in Israel’s crackdown on UNRWA, which has faced increasing pressure since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. Israeli officials were present at the site, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir describing it as “a historic day” as an Israeli flag was raised over the compound.

UNRWA, established after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, provides critical aid and services to approximately 5.5 million Palestinian refugees across Gaza, the West Bank, east Jerusalem, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. The agency operates schools, healthcare facilities, and delivers humanitarian assistance in refugee camps throughout these regions.

Israel’s parliament formalized its opposition to the agency last year when it passed legislation severing ties and banning UNRWA from operating within Israeli territory, including annexed east Jerusalem. Israel has long accused UNRWA of harboring pro-Palestinian sentiments and maintaining connections to militant groups like Hamas—allegations the UN organization consistently denies.

Since the current conflict began, Israeli officials have intensified their criticism, claiming Hamas has infiltrated the agency and utilized its facilities for military purposes. However, international observers note that Israel has provided limited concrete evidence to support these claims, which the UN has rejected.

The agency warned that the demolition could threaten operations at its vocational center in Qalandia and health facility in Shua’fat, where it continues to provide education and healthcare services to Palestinian refugees.

“This comes in the wake of other steps taken by Israeli authorities to erase the Palestine Refugee identity,” UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement. “This must be a wake-up call. What happens today to UNRWA will happen tomorrow to any other international organization or diplomatic mission, whether in the Occupied Palestinian Territory or anywhere around the world.”

The demolition occurs amid broader Israeli restrictions on international aid organizations operating in Gaza and the West Bank. Israel has informed dozens of groups—including Doctors Without Borders and CARE—that their licenses will expire by the end of 2025 unless they comply with new regulations, including requirements not to hire staff involved in activities that “delegitimize Israel” or support boycotts.

Humanitarian organizations have criticized these measures as arbitrary and warned they could further imperil civilian populations already facing severe humanitarian crises, particularly in Gaza, where the UN estimates over 90% of the population is displaced and facing acute food insecurity.

UNRWA’s funding has become increasingly politicized in recent years. The United States, historically the agency’s largest donor, cut funding under President Donald Trump in 2018. While President Biden restored support in 2021, his administration paused funding again in 2024 following Israeli allegations about UNRWA staff involvement with Hamas.

In October, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel must allow UNRWA to continue providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza, though the demolition of its Jerusalem headquarters suggests Israeli authorities remain committed to limiting the agency’s operations.

Critics of UNRWA argue the organization perpetuates Palestinian refugee status rather than resolving it, while supporters contend that Israel’s campaign against the agency aims to sideline refugee issues, which remain one of the most contentious aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.