Israel has commenced the demolition of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) headquarters in East Jerusalem, following the enactment of legislation outlawing the agency’s operations for Palestinian refugees. On Tuesday, police and officials from the Israel Land Authority arrived at the compound equipped with bulldozers and other demolition tools to begin the destruction, as depicted in footage released by CNN.
In a statement, the Israel Land Authority announced that law enforcement had secured the property and started clearing the site. The UNRWA condemned the move, describing it as “an unprecedented attack against a United Nations agency and its premises.”
The agency expressed its concerns on social media platform X, stating that this action signifies a “new level of open and deliberate defiance of international law, including the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, by the State of Israel.”
This demolition raises significant questions regarding international norms and the ongoing tensions in the region, underscoring the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations operating amidst political turmoil. The situation continues to evolve, and many will be watching closely to see how this action influences both local and international relations.
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