The United Nations says Israeli crews have begun bulldozing the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) headquarters in east Jerusalem. The move comes amid increasing crackdowns on humanitarian groups.
Bulldozers, surrounded by Israeli forces, tore down several large and smaller structures inside the compound, which UNRWA has not used since early last year after Israel ordered the agency to vacate its premises and halt operations.
Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, said the demolition marked a "new level of open and deliberate defiance of international law, including of the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, by the State of Israel."
He said it followed a series of Israeli measures affecting UNRWA facilities in East Jerusalem, adding that UN premises are inviolable under international law and must be protected by all UN member states.
A UNRWA spokesperson said Israeli forces entered the site early in the morning, removed security guards and began demolitions. Former staff said some of the buildings had been used to store aid for the West Bank and Gaza.
Israel has accused UNRWA of bias and alleged that some staff were linked to Hamas. The agency says it has dismissed several employees, but that Israel has not provided evidence for all claims.
Israel’s parliament passed a law in October 2024 banning UNRWA from operating in the country and prohibiting official contact with it.
Israel’s foreign ministry said the compound did not enjoy immunity and that its seizure complied with Israeli and international law. The Jerusalem municipality said the action followed unpaid property taxes, which UNRWA denies, insisting the site remains a UN premises.
UNRWA operates in East Jerusalem, Gaza, the West Bank and across the Middle East, providing education, healthcare and social services to millions of Palestinians.
U.S. and Pakistani leaders forecast a Sunday signing of a long-elusive framework agreement to end fighting between the United States and Iran, as Reut...
Australia put on a defensive masterclass as they beat Türkiye 2-0 in Vancouver in the final opening Group D match....
Romania's centrist President Nicușor Dan on Sunday designated Adrian Veștea, a member of the liberal party, as prime minister, after independent can...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Georgia to implement reforms to tackle youth unemployment. Nearly 30 per cent of people aged 15-24 ar...
North Korea said on Sunday, 14 June, that denuclearisation is a matter that is irreversibly terminated, in a condemnation of recent nuclear deterren...
Two teenage gunmen opened fire on Monday at the Islamic Center of San Diego, California, killing a security guard and two other men outside the mosque before the suspects were found dead, apparently from self-inflicted gunshot wounds, police said.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Israeli and Lebanese leaders have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that includes Hezbollah, raising cautious hopes of a pause in hostilities after weeks of escalating tensions.
In UK's capital, four ambulances belonging to a Jewish community organisation in north London were set ablaze, police said on Monday, adding that the incident was being treated as an antisemitic hate crime. Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis called the incident "sickening."
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
SpaceX made a historic entrance into the Nasdaq on Friday, surging over 20% in its first day of trading and lifting its valuation to more than $2 trillion. Investors flocked to the world’s largest IPO, betting on Elon Musk’s sprawling empire spanning rockets, AI and beyond.
Armenia has every right to choose Europe. But Europe’s support for Armenia’s direction should not become automatic approval of its political process.
U.S. President Donald Trump has said a peace agreement with Iran is scheduled to be signed on Sunday in a post on social media, despite Tehran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei saying no deal would be approved this weekend.
Japan’s birth rate and fertility levels have fallen to their lowest levels on record, highlighting the country’s worsening demographic crisis as fewer people marry and have children.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Georgia to implement reforms to tackle youth unemployment. Nearly 30 per cent of people aged 15-24 are without a job in the country, according to World Bank data.
Kazakhstan’s ruling Amanat party has announced it will merge with a party launched only a month ago by allies of the country’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
An Indian pollution regulator has accused a Tata components factory supplying Apple iPhones of contaminating groundwater near farmland with wastewater, raising the prospect of a forced shutdown unless the company provides a satisfactory response.
Uzbekistan will launch a new digital financial platform from 1 July aimed at simplifying access to finance for entrepreneurs, as part of broader efforts to support small businesses, encourage innovation and accelerate private sector development.
Pakistan has warned that any attempt by India to block or significantly reduce river flows under the Indus Waters Treaty could have “far-reaching consequences”, after India's water minister said New Delhi was working to ensure that “not a single drop” of water reaches Pakistan in the coming years.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment