Israel begins demolishing UNRWA headquarters in Jerusalem, citing ties to Hamas, while UN chief condemns the action.
Israel Commences Demolition, Calls it “Historic Day”
On Tuesday (January 20), Israel began demolishing the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in Jerusalem. The Israeli side accuses UNRWA of cooperating with Hamas and last year banned its activities on its territory. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that “UNRWA-HAMAS has already ceased operations in this location and there is no UN staff there anymore.”
The ministry added that “the takeover was carried out in accordance with Israeli and international law.” In the early morning, a demolition crew arrived at the headquarters accompanied by police. Equipment at the site was confiscated and security guards were ordered to leave the area. An Israeli flag was hung on the building, and politicians appeared at the scene. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gwir stated, “This is a historic day.”
UN Chief Condemns Action as “Completely Unacceptable”
Antonio Guterres condemned Israel’s action “in the strongest terms.” As he emphasized, the building remains the headquarters of the UN and is “inviolable and resistant to any form of interference.” The UN chief stated in a statement that “the Secretary-General considers any further escalation against UNRWA completely unacceptable” and called on Israel to immediately halt the demolition.
The spokesperson for the High Commissioner for Human Rights said, “This deepens what we have been witnessing for some time, namely attacking aid organizations and UN entities that are trying to provide assistance.”
UNRWA Chief Warns: “This Will Happen to Any Other Organization”
The UN also reminds that in October last year, the International Court of Justice ruled that Israel has an obligation to “facilitate the work of UNRWA, not to hinder or prevent it.” It also emphasized that the Israeli side has no jurisdiction over East Jerusalem.
UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini stated, “What is happening to UNRWA today will happen to any other international organization or diplomatic mission, whether in the occupied Palestinian territories or anywhere else in the world.”