Israel Demolishes UNRWA Buildings in East Jerusalem

Far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir oversaw the demolition of UNRWA’s headquarters in occupied East Jerusalem on January 20, 2026. This action is part of Israel’s broader initiative to restrict the operations of NGOs providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians. The destruction of the UN facility highlights ongoing tensions in the region and impacts aid efforts. Ben-Gvir’s involvement signals a significant shift in Israeli policy towards humanitarian organizations.