Israeli forces move to evacuate, destroy UNRWA HQ in Jerusalem
The measures against UNRWA began in late 2024 with Israel’s decision to outlaw all of the organization’s activities within the country’s borders.
Israeli security forces arrived to evacuate and destroy the UNRWA (UN Relief Works Agency) headquarters on Ammunition Hill in northern Jerusalem on Tuesday morning.
Ammunition Hill is the central headquarters from which all of the organization’s activities in the West Bank and Jerusalem are managed, and within which UNRWA’s main logistical infrastructure is concentrated.
Since the beginning of the war, UNRWA’s ties with the terrorist organization Hamas have been exposed, and it was discovered that some UNRWA operatives even took part in the October 7 massacre. In addition, numerous tunnels and terrorist infrastructures were found under buildings belonging to UNRWA in the Gaza Strip.
“This is a historic day, a holiday, and a very important day for Jerusalem’s governance,” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated.
“For years, these terror supporters were here, and today they are banished with everything they built.”
“This is happening as a result of the laws I initiated to expel UNRWA from Israel. And redemption has come to Zion!”” MK Yulia Malinovsky of Yisrael Beytenu, one of the initiators of the bill to sever ties with UNRWA, said.
Israel beginst dismantling UNRWA facility, January 20, 2026. (ISRAEL LAND AUTHORITY)The Foreign Ministry stated that the demolition was not because of any new policy, “but rather the implementation of existing Israeli legislation concerning UNRWA-Hamas.”
“The State of Israel owns the Jerusalem compound in which the Israel Land Authority operates today. 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 ministry stated.
“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.”
Measures against UNRWA started in 2025
The measures against UNRWA began in late 2024 with Israel’s decision to outlaw all of the organization’s activities within the country’s borders.
In December 2025, the Knesset voted to disconnect UNRWA facilities from water and electricity.
Less than two weeks ago, Israeli forces arrived to evacuate the UNRWA facility in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City.
