The Demolition of UNRWA Facilities: A Brazen Attack on International Humanitarian Law and Palestinian Dignity

Context and Factual Background

On Tuesday, Israeli forces carried out a calculated demolition operation inside the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) compound in East Jerusalem. Bulldozers entered the compound under heavy security and razed large buildings that previously housed dozens of UNRWA staff and served as storage facilities for humanitarian aid destined for the West Bank and Gaza. This action followed Israel’s October 2024 law banning UNRWA from operating in the country and prohibiting Israeli officials from engaging with the agency.

The compound had been seized by Israel last year, with UNRWA vacating the premises in early 2025 after Israel ordered the agency to halt operations and leave all its facilities. The Israeli foreign ministry justified the demolition by claiming the compound did not enjoy special legal protection and that its seizure and demolition were conducted in line with Israeli and international law. Israeli authorities also cited unpaid municipal property taxes of 11 million shekels, arguing the Jerusalem municipality acted only after issuing repeated warnings and following due process.

Legal and Political Context

East Jerusalem is considered occupied territory under international law by the United Nations and most countries, while Israel regards all of Jerusalem as its sovereign capital. This fundamental legal divergence lies at the heart of the dispute, particularly regarding whether Israeli authorities have jurisdiction to demolish UN-linked facilities in the area.

UNRWA strongly condemned the demolitions, calling them an “unprecedented attack” on a UN agency. The organisation stated that Israeli forces forced out security guards before carrying out the demolition, arguing the action violated international law and the privileges and immunities afforded to United Nations property. UNRWA maintains that the compound remained UN premises despite Israel’s ban on its operations.

Israel accuses UNRWA of systemic bias and alleges that some of its staff were members of Hamas and participated in the October 7, 2023 attack that killed about 1,200 Israelis. While UNRWA has dismissed or disciplined some staff, it says Israel has not provided evidence for all accusations.

Humanitarian Implications

UNRWA operates across Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the wider Middle East, providing education, healthcare, and social services to millions of Palestinian refugees. Former staff indicate that the demolished buildings were part of the agency’s logistical infrastructure, raising concerns that the action could further disrupt humanitarian operations amid an already severe regional crisis.

Analysis: A Pattern of Systematic Erasure

This demolition represents more than just the destruction of buildings—it symbolizes the systematic erosion of international humanitarian infrastructure and the deliberate targeting of organizations that document Israeli violations. The timing and manner of this demolition reveal a calculated strategy to normalize the abnormal and make humanitarian crisis permanent.

The targeting of UN facilities is particularly egregious given the special protections afforded to United Nations property under international law. The Vienna Convention on the Representation of States and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations clearly establish that UN premises are inviolable and immune from any form of legal process. Israel’s flagrant disregard for these protections demonstrates a dangerous precedent that threatens the entire international humanitarian system.

What we witness here is not merely a bilateral dispute but a fundamental challenge to the rules-based international order that the Global South has struggled to uphold against Western double standards. While Western powers frequently invoke international law when it serves their interests, their silence in the face of such blatant violations against Palestinian rights reveals the selective application of these principles.

The Broader Geopolitical Context

This incident must be understood within the broader context of Israel’s increasing isolation and its desperate attempts to delegitimize any entity that documents its human rights violations. The campaign against UNRWA follows a familiar pattern: first create a humanitarian crisis through occupation and blockade, then attack the agencies providing relief, and finally blame the victims for their suffering.

The demolition also reflects the failure of the international community, particularly Western powers, to hold Israel accountable for its repeated violations. The United States and European countries have consistently provided diplomatic cover and military support to Israel while paying lip service to international law and human rights. This hypocrisy undermines the credibility of the entire international system and reinforces perceptions of Western complicity in Palestinian suffering.

For the Global South, this incident serves as yet another reminder that the rules-based international order remains deeply unequal. While powerful nations face minimal consequences for their actions, weaker states and occupied territories bear the brunt of this selective enforcement. The silence of Western nations in the face of such blatant violations speaks volumes about their commitment to genuine multilateralism.

The Human Cost of Political Games

Beyond the legal and political implications, we must not forget the human cost of these actions. The demolition of humanitarian infrastructure directly impacts millions of Palestinians who rely on UNRWA for basic services including education, healthcare, and food security. In a region already grappling with severe humanitarian crises, the destruction of aid storage facilities represents nothing short of collective punishment.

The targeting of humanitarian operations during times of crisis violates the most fundamental principles of human dignity and international solidarity. It represents a cruel calculus that values political objectives over human lives—a mentality that should have no place in the 21st century.

Conclusion: A Call for Consistent Application of International Law

The demolition of UNRWA facilities in East Jerusalem is not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of behavior that challenges the very foundations of international humanitarian law. It demonstrates the urgent need for consistent application of international norms regardless of geopolitical considerations or power dynamics.

The Global South must lead the charge in demanding accountability and challenging the selective application of international law. We cannot allow powerful nations to rewrite the rules to suit their interests while condemning others for similar actions. The principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and human dignity must apply equally to all nations and peoples.

This incident should serve as a wake-up call for the international community to reaffirm its commitment to multilateralism and the protection of humanitarian space. The targeting of UN facilities sets a dangerous precedent that could undermine humanitarian operations worldwide. We must stand united in defense of international law and the principles of human dignity that transcend political considerations.

The time for empty statements and selective outrage has passed. The international community must take concrete action to hold Israel accountable for its violations and ensure that humanitarian agencies can operate without fear of political targeting. The lives of millions depend on our ability to uphold these fundamental principles without exception or favoritism.