Extract from ABC News
Israeli authorities are demolishing the former headquarters of UNRWA. (ABC News: Matthew Doran)
In short:
Israeli authorities have begun demolishing the former headquarters of the United Nation's Palestinian aid agency in occupied East Jerusalem.
International staff were forced to leave in early 2025 as a legislated ban on UNRWA's operations in Israel came into force and their visas were torn up.
The UN has labelled the move a "serious violation of international law".
Israeli authorities have started demolishing the former headquarters of the United Nation's Palestinian aid agency in occupied East Jerusalem in a move the UN has labelled a "serious violation of international law".
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) had been operating at the site since 1952, when Jordan was in control of East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
It maintained an uninterrupted presence there after Israel seized control of the area in 1967.
International staff were forced to leave in early 2025 when a legislated ban on UNRWA's operations in Israel came into force and their visas were torn up.
On Tuesday morning local time, Israeli security forces arrived with demolition equipment at the compound.
The destruction of the site was marked as a 'historical day' by Israeli officials. (ABC News: Matthew Doran)
UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler said the personnel forced security guards to leave the site.
"Then bulldozers subsequently entered the compound and began demolishing buildings inside it," he said.
"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.
"Like all UN member states, Israel is obliged to protect and respect the inviolability of UN premises — no exceptions."
The UN has labelled the move a "serious violation of international law". (Reuters: Ammar Awad)
The International Court of Justice has ruled Israel's occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza illegal under international law — although Israel does not recognise the judgment.
Israel's far-right national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir toured the site alongside Jerusalem's deputy mayor Ariel King as the demolition was underway.
"It's a historical day, it's a festive day, and it's a very important day for the control of Jerusalem," he said in a video posted to social media.
"For years, these terror supporters were here … today, these terror supporters are being removed from here with all they established here."
A crane rests on the road next to the demolished UNRWA building. (ABC News: Matthew Doran)
Israel's attack on UNRWA
The Israeli government has spent years attacking UNRWA, arguing it had been infiltrated by Hamas in Gaza and that some of its staff had been involved in the deadly attacks against Israel on October 7.
A UN investigation led to the sacking of nine staff who may have been involved, although the UN has long argued the accusations against the agency in its entirety were unfounded.
In 2024 the Knesset, Israel's parliament, passed legislation banning UNRWA's operations in Israel and making it illegal for any Israeli officials to have any dealings with the organisation.
UNRWA operates many schools and health services for the Palestinian population in occupied East Jerusalem. (Reuters)
The second part of the ban has hampered UNRWA's operations in Gaza and the West Bank, given Israel controls all entry and exit points.
UNRWA operates many schools and health services for the Palestinian population in occupied East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.
Its operations also extend to things such as garbage collection in places such as the Shufat refugee camp, a short drive from the East Jerusalem compound.
Palestinian activist: 'Despite the genocide and destruction, our cause will be victorious'
Muhammad Abu Hummus, a long-time Palestinian activist from Jerusalem, criticised the Israeli authorities.
"They think that if they demolish a building, that's it, that the Palestinian cause is finished," he told the ABC on the street outside the compound.
"We as Palestinian people will remain steadfast on the land, despite the genocide, despite the destruction, our cause will be victorious, God willing."
Muhammad Abu Hummus a long-time Palestinian activist from Jerusalem, criticised the Israeli authorities. 20/01/2026 (ABC News: Matthew Doran)
Israel has repeatedly rejected allegations it is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.
Mr Abu Hummus said the demolition was a result of the international community failing to call out Israel's actions.
"This is a sign of shame on the European countries, on the US, the western nations in general, that in front of them a building of the UN is destroyed," he said.
Ben, a member of the right-wing Zionist organisation Im Tirtzu was also watching the demolition, and praised the Israeli authorities for following through on promises to take control of the site.
"It's about time that we take it back," he said.
"It's inside Jerusalem, inside our capital, and it needs to go back to Israeli lands — that's it, it's a happy day.
Ben from Im Tirtzu, a right-wing Zionist organisation. (ABC News: Matthew Doran)
"I think any normal country would have done what Israel is doing, and it's not illegal to do something in your own country after a specific organisation and its employees killed and butchered Israelis on the 7th of October."
Demolition part of Israel's UNRWA ban
Before international staff had to leave the UNRWA compound in early 2025, the site had been frequently targeted by protests.
There were also attempts to set fire to the facility, and staff had been attacked arriving for work.
Mr Fowler said the attacks against UNRWA the agency had to end.
"This is a huge source of concern because this should be a wake-up call," he said.
A woman picks up medicine from a pharmacy at a UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem. (Reuters: Sinan Abu Mayzer)
A spokesperson for Israel's Foreign Ministry rejected UNRWA's claims.
"The state of Israel owns the Jerusalem compound in which the Israel Land Authority is operating today," Oren Marmorstein said.
"Even prior to the passage of legislation in January 2025, UNRWA-Hamas had already ceased its operations at this site and no longer had any UN personnel or UN activity there.
"The compound does not enjoy any immunity and the seizure of this compound by Israeli authorities was carried out in accordance with both Israeli and international law."
Nationalist Israeli activists celebrate a ban on UNRWA's operations in Jerusalem and Israel during a protest last year. (Reuters: Jamal Awad)
He said the demolition work was part of the ongoing implementation of the UNRWA ban.
"UNRWA-Hamas employees participated in the October seventh massacre and the kidnapping of Israelis," Mr Marmorstein said.
"Numerous employees within the organisation are Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorists, and the organisation's infrastructure has been used for tunnel construction, rocket fire, and terrorist activities.
"UNRWA-Hamas has long ceased to be a humanitarian aid organisation, serving instead as a greenhouse for terrorism."
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