Israeli military forces have conducted a controversial operation at a United Nations facility, according to reports from the Wafa news agency. The incident involved multiple military units establishing a security perimeter around the area before deploying bulldozers that proceeded to demolish structures within the compound.
In a particularly symbolic act, soldiers reportedly raised the Israeli flag inside the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) during the operation. This event represents the latest escalation in a longstanding conflict between Israel and the UN agency that dates back to 2014, when the Israeli government passed legislation effectively banning UNRWA from operating within both Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
UNRWA has served as a critical humanitarian provider for decades, delivering education, healthcare, and essential aid services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the Gaza Strip, West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. The current tensions stem from Israeli allegations that the agency employed Palestinian militants who participated in the October 2013 strike against Israel. These claims have been subsequently refuted by United Nations investigations, though they continue to fuel diplomatic friction.
The demolition operation and flag-raising incident have drawn international attention, reviving concerns about the delicate relationship between humanitarian operations and political conflicts in the region.