Archive · 20 Jan 2026
Israel Demolishes UNRWA Compound in East Jerusalem
Israel demolished buildings in a UN agency's compound in East Jerusalem.
The agency, UNRWA, helps Palestinian refugees with aid, schooling, and healthcare.
Israel says UNRWA didn't pay taxes and some staff might be linked to a group called Hamas.
UNRWA says the demolition is against international law.
Israel took over the compound last year and passed a law banning UNRWA from operating in the country.
The UN and most countries consider East Jerusalem to be occupied by Israel, but Israel disagrees.
The demolition happened early in the morning with bulldozers, and UNRWA says it stored aid there for the West Bank and Gaza.
Israel has accused UNRWA of collaborating with Hamas, a charge UNRWA denies.
The demolition is part of Israel's broader efforts to deregister aid groups operating in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Israel demolished buildings in UNRWA's East Jerusalem compound on January 20, 2024.
UNRWA condemns the demolition as a violation of international law.
Israel claims the compound was seized due to unpaid property taxes and lack of immunity.
UNRWA denies owing taxes and says the compound remains UN premises.
Israel alleges some UNRWA staff have ties to Hamas, while UNRWA says evidence is lacking.
- Who
- Israel and UNRWA
- What
- Demolition of UNRWA buildings in East Jerusalem
- When
- January 20, 2024
- Where
- East Jerusalem
- Why
- Israel claims unpaid property taxes and lack of immunity; UNRWA condemns as illegal
- Organization
- UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency)
- Location
- East Jerusalem
- Date of Demolition
- January 20, 2024
- Allegations Against UNRWA
- Israel accuses some UNRWA staff of ties to Hamas
- UNRWA's Response
- Condemns the demolition as a violation of international law
- Israeli Justification
- Claims the demolition is in accordance with Israeli and international law
- UNRWA's Operations
- Provides aid, schooling, healthcare, and social services to Palestinians
- Number of Refugees Served
- 2.5 million in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and East Jerusalem, and 3 million more in Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon
- Israeli Legislation
- Banned UNRWA from operating in Israel, including East Jerusalem, and stripped its staff of legal immunities
Sources
Israel demolishes buildings in UN Palestinian agency’s East Jerusalem compound
Israel bulldozes UNRWA headquarters in east Jerusalem after banning agency’s operations
Israel Bulldozes UN Headquarters In Jerusalem To Clampdown On Palestinian Aid
Israeli forces bulldoze UN Palestinian refugee agency site in East Jerusalem
Israeli Crews Begin Bulldozing Headquarters Of UN Agency For Palestinian Refugees In East Jerusalem
Israel Initiates Demolition of UNRWA Headquarters in East Jerusalem
Israeli crews tear down UN Palestinian refugee agency in Jerusalem, UNRWA calls it 'violation' of international law
Israel destroys parts of U.N. agency headquarters in East Jerusalem
