Israeli Bulldozers Begin Demolitions at UNRWA Headquarters in East Jerusalem

Des bulldozers israéliens⁢ ont‍ démoli, mardi 20 janvier, ​des bâtiments dans l’enceinte ⁢du siège de l’agence​ des Nations unies pour les réfugiés ⁤palestiniens (UNRWA), à Jérusalem-Est, selon un photographe de l’Agence ⁤France-Presse (AFP) sur place.

« Le​ complexe ne bénéficie​ d’aucune immunité et sa saisie par les autorités israéliennes ​a été effectuée conformément⁣ au droit ‌israélien et international », a affirmé ‌le⁣ ministère des affaires étrangères de l’Etat hébreu. ⁤Un ​responsable‍ de⁣ l’agence‍ a dénoncé « une violation⁤ grave du​ droit international ainsi que des privilèges et immunités ‍des Nations ⁢unies ».

« Il s’agit d’une attaque sans précédent », a affirmé roland Friedrich, directeur de l’UNRWA en Cisjordanie et à⁤ Jérusalem-Est, « elle⁣ constitue une ⁣violation grave du ⁣droit ⁣international ainsi que des privilèges et ‍immunités des Nations unies ». « comme tous les Etats⁢ membres de⁤ l’ONU, Israël est tenu de protéger et de ​respecter ⁢l’inviolabilité des ​locaux de⁣ l’ONU », a souligné de son côté Jonathan Fowler, ⁢porte-parole de⁤ l’agence.

UNRWA Faces Funding Cuts‌ After Allegations

Several countries suspended funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees‌ in the​ Near East (UNRWA) on January 20, ‍2026, following allegations that some agency staff were⁣ involved in ⁣the october 7, 2023, attacks ‌on Israel. The United States, United Kingdom,‍ Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Austria, Luxembourg, ⁣and Canada have all paused contributions.

The allegations surfaced⁣ after Israel presented intelligence ‍to these nations, claiming it identified UNRWA employees who participated in the​ Hamas-led attacks. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz stated that UNRWA ‍had been “completely infiltrated by Hamas.”

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini acknowledged receiving the information from Israel and said the agency ⁣is taking ⁤the⁣ allegations⁢ seriously. He stated that UNRWA will cooperate with an investigation and ‍any individuals found to⁤ have committed crimes ‌will be ⁣held accountable.

The suspensions represent a significant blow ⁣to ⁣UNRWA, which provides essential ⁤services to approximately 6 million Palestinian refugees across Gaza, ⁤the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. ‌ These⁤ services include education, healthcare,⁢ and humanitarian aid.

Hear’s⁣ a breakdown of the funding pauses announced as of January 20, 2026:

• united States: ⁢ Paused⁤ all funding, which totaled $325 ‍million in 2023. State Department website
• United Kingdom: ‍ Instantly suspended all ‌funding, amounting to £16 million. foreign,⁤ Commonwealth​ & Development Office ‍website
• Germany: Suspended funding⁣ for the current year, ​totaling €82⁤ million. German⁢ Federal⁤ Foreign Office website
• Italy: Suspended funding while awaiting the results of a review. Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
• Netherlands: ⁢ Temporarily paused funding. Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs website
• Switzerland: Suspended funding. Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs website
• Finland: ⁣ Suspended future funding. Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs website
• Austria: Suspended funding. Austrian Federal ‍Ministry for European and Foreign Affairs website
• Luxembourg: Suspended funding. ⁣ Luxembourg ‍Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs website
• Canada: ‍Paused ⁢all funding. Global Affairs Canada‍ website

The⁢ situation remains fluid, ⁣and ‌further developments are expected as ‍investigations proceed.