Israeli police forces entered the East Jerusalem headquarters of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on December 9, 2025, in an unauthorized operation that drew swift condemnation from UN leadership. The Jerusalem Governorate reported security personnel were detained and communications severed during the raid, with Israeli flags later seen flying over the compound.
The incident follows the UN General Assembly's recent renewal of UNRWA's mandate through 2028, and comes eight months after Israel banned the agency's Jerusalem operations through parliamentary legislation. The historic office had served Palestinian refugees since 1951 before being vacated earlier this year.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres declared the action violated international law, stating: UN premises remain inviolable under the Convention on Privileges and Immunities. He demanded immediate restoration of the facility's protected status, referencing the International Court of Justice's position on UN property protections.
While Israeli authorities have not commented, regional analysts suggest this escalation reflects ongoing tensions regarding international organizations' operations in contested territories. The raid coincides with heightened scrutiny of humanitarian operations across the Levant region this year.
