Israel demolishes the headquarters building of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

Israel has dispatched bulldozers to start dismantling the headquarters building of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in East Jerusalem.

AFP reported that the Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Tuesday (January 20th) saying: "The Near East Relief Organization - Hamas organization has ceased operations at this location. UN personnel and activities are no longer taking place at this location. These buildings do not enjoy any exemptions. The Israeli authorities' seizure of these buildings is fully in line with Israeli and international law."

The spokesperson of the Near East Relief Organization, Fowler, said that the Israeli army entered the office building at around 7 a.m. local time and forcibly expelled the security personnel. Then, they brought in bulldozers to start dismantling the internal structures.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) stated that the agency is facing "unprecedented attacks" and accused Israel of seriously violating international law and the privileges and immunities of the United Nations.

Some former staff members of UNRWA pointed out that the buildings that were demolished were used for storing aid supplies for the West Bank and Gaza.

Israel has repeatedly accused the Near East Relief Organization of providing shelter to Hamas militants, claiming that some of its employees were involved in the attack launched by Hamas against Israel on October 7, 2023.

In October 2024, the Israeli parliament passed a law prohibiting the Near East Relief Organization from conducting activities within Israel and forbidding Israeli officials from having any contact with the organization. The relevant bill officially came into effect in early 2025.

The Jerusalem municipal government of Israel also conducted a surprise search of the agency's building last year, claiming that the Near East Relief Organization had failed to pay property taxes despite multiple warnings. Earlier this month, the agency's director condemned the Israeli authorities for seizing the organization's assets.

The Near East Relief Organization was established in 1949. Its main responsibility is to provide humanitarian assistance, education and medical services to registered Palestinian refugees living in the West Bank of the Jordan River, the Gaza Strip, as well as in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.