Israel demolished UNRWA’s Jerusalem headquarters on Jan. 20, 2026, citing security concerns and ties to Hamas.

Israeli security forces began demolishing the UNRWA headquarters on Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem, following Israel’s 2024 ban on the agency’s operations within its borders. The move, part of a broader campaign that included cutting off utilities and evicting staff from other sites, stems from allegations that some UNRWA personnel were linked to Hamas and that terrorist tunnels were found beneath UNRWA buildings in Gaza. Israel asserts the action is based on existing law and national security concerns, emphasizing the site had no immunity and was no longer operational. The demolition marks a major escalation in Israel’s effort to sever ties with UNRWA.