The former headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. ILIA YEFIMOVICH / AFP
Israeli bulldozers began demolitions at the headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, in East Jerusalem on Tuesday, January 20, in what the organization called an "unprecedented attack."
UNRWA spokesman Jonathan Fowler said in a statement to Agence France-Presse (AFP) that Israeli forces "stormed into" the compound shortly after 7 am local time and ousted security guards from the site, before bulldozers entered and began demolishing buildings.
"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," Fowler said. "This should be a wake-up call," he added. "What happens today to UNRWA can happen tomorrow to any other international organisation or diplomatic mission around the world."
AFP photos showed heavy machinery demolishing structures at the compound, where an Israeli flag fluttered overhead. An AFP photographer reported that far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir had made a brief visit to the site. "This is a historic day, a day of celebration and a very important day for governance in Jerusalem," Ben Gvir was quoted as saying in a statement. "For years, these supporters of terrorism were here, and today they are being removed from here, along with everything they built in this place. This is what will happen to every supporter of terrorism," he added.
