JerusalemIsrael has demolished buildings at the headquarters complex of the United Nations Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem. The action took place on Tuesday, when Israeli forces entered the compound, took out security guards and demolished several large buildings and other structures with bulldozers. UNRWA described it as an ‘unprecedented attack’ and a serious violation of international law and the privileges and immunities of the United Nations. Let us tell you that the complex was lying vacant since last year, because Israel passed a law in 2024 banning the operation of UNRWA and ordered the agency to vacate all the premises. UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler said that the Israeli army entered the complex at around 7 am local time, took out the security guards and then started demolishing the buildings with bulldozers. Fowler called it an ‘unprecedented attack’ on UNRWA and its premises and a serious violation of international law and UN privileges and immunities. Some former UN employees said that the structures demolished on Tuesday were used to store aid materials for the West Bank and Gaza. Hakam Shahwan, former Chief of Staff of UNRWA’s East Jerusalem Headquarters, said that this destruction caused by the Israeli occupation sends a message to the world that Israel is the only country that can break international law and get away with no punishment. Let us tell you that the Israeli Parliament passed a law in October 2024, banning the agency from working in the country and forbidding officials from contacting the agency. Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir posted a video on social media, showing him standing in front of the UNRWA compound while bulldozers demolish the building. Ben-Gvir described it as a ‘historic day’ and a ‘day of celebration’. At the same time, Israel has alleged that some UNRWA employees were members of the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas and had taken part in the attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1200 Israelis were killed. It is noteworthy that after this attack, Israel started war against Hamas. According to Gaza officials, more than 71,000 Palestinians have been killed in this war.
