RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Tuesday condemned the demolition of buildings belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) by Israeli occupation forces in the occupied city of Jerusalem.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement, said: “Saudi Arabia reiterates its rejection of Israeli violations of international and humanitarian norms and laws, and holds the international community responsible for addressing these practices and the Israeli approach based on continuing its crimes against international relief organizations.”
“Saudi Arabia expresses its support for UNRWA in its humanitarian mission to provide relief to the brotherly Palestinian people, and calls on the international community to protect relief organizations, their workers, and their facilities,” it added.
#بيان | تُعرب وزارة الخارجية عن إدانة المملكة العربية السعودية بأشد العبارات هدم مباني تابعة لوكالة غوث وتشغيل اللاجئين الفلسطينيين "الأونروا" من قبل قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي في حي الشيخ جراح بمدينة القدس المحتلة. pic.twitter.com/sQSlzOt488
— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) January 20, 2026
Israeli forces on Tuesday demolished structures inside the headquarters of UNRWA in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of occupied East Jerusalem.
The action marks an unprecedented escalation in Israel’s crackdown on international aid agencies operating in Palestinian territories.
UNRWA said in a statement that Israeli authorities had confiscated staff devices and forced personnel out of their offices.
“This is an unprecedented attack not only against UNRWA and its premises. It constitutes a serious violation of international law and the privileges and immunities of the United Nations,” the agency said.
Later on Tuesday, Israeli forces fired tear gas at a Palestinian trade school, another UN facility in occupied East Jerusalem, according to local sources, cited by Palestinian news agency Wafa.
The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that Israeli bulldozers stormed UNRWA’s compound after sealing off surrounding streets.
Israeli officials and lawmakers were reportedly present during the demolition.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini condemned the action as part of a broader campaign to erase Palestinian refugee identity.
