ADVERTISEMENTThe demolition occurred on January 20, 2026, when Israeli construction vehicles razed the UNRWA headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of East Jerusalem, a site long associated with the agency’s support for Palestinian refugees, the reports said. This move contravenes a recent International Court of Justice ruling mandating Israel to facilitate UNRWA’s aid efforts in Gaza. Critics, including the ministers, accused Israel of systematically pressuring UNRWA, echoing unsubstantiated claims of Hamas ties dismissed by the UN. Jerusalem authorities have intensified restrictions on the organization, including staff detentions and operational halts, fueling global outrage. UNRWA, established in 1949, remains a lifeline for 5.9 million registered refugees across the region, its East Jerusalem base symbolizing international commitment.