Ben-Gvir after UNRWA offices demolished in Jerusalem: This is a historic day

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stormed the UNRWA headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, accompanied by police forces who demolished some of the structures there.

After the demolition of some of the structures and offices within the UNRWA compound, Ben-Gvir declared, "This is a historic day... a day of celebration and a very important day for the governance of Jerusalem." He added, "For many years, supporters of terrorism were present here, but today they are being expelled along with everything they built."

In response, UNRWA announced that it is facing an "unprecedented attack" in East Jerusalem, according to AFP.

The Jerusalem Governorate confirmed that the demolition of offices in the UNRWA building is a dangerous escalation and a targeting of a UN agency that enjoys international immunity. It also stressed that the attack on UNRWA comes within the context of a systematic Israeli escalation preceded by months of harassment and violations. It pointed out that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories, including Jerusalem and the institutions operating there.

This attack came after successive pieces of legislation in the Knesset to prevent the agency from operating, and to cut off electricity and water lines to its buildings, particularly in Jerusalem.