On an area of 36 dunums... an Israeli plan to establish military facilities above the UNRWA headquarters in Jerusalem
On Sunday, May 17, 2026, the Israeli government approved a military settlement plan targeting the UNRWA headquarters located in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem.
Israeli media reports indicate that the decision was made collaboratively by Defense Minister Yisrael Katz and the Jerusalem municipality. It entails transforming the entire UNRWA compound into an official Israeli military installation.
The plan involves creating an official office for the Israeli Defense Minister and a new central recruitment office for the Israeli army in Jerusalem, citing that the current recruitment office no longer fulfills the army's requirements. It also proposes building an "Israeli Army Heritage Museum," designed to connect the site geographically and symbolically with the "Ammunition Hill" area, thereby strengthening the Israeli military's presence and narrative in Jerusalem.
Under the plan, around 36 dunums—where the UNRWA compound and its logistical facilities are located—will be seized. This land was assigned directly to the Israeli Ministry of Defense without a public tender, citing "security needs and the public interest" as the justification.
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz stated in his initial comment on the decision, "Nothing is more symbolic than establishing a recruitment office on the ruins of the UNRWA compound," viewing the move as a "clear message" aimed at strengthening Israeli control over Jerusalem.
Israeli escalation against UNRWA in Jerusalem
• In May 2024, Israeli authorities demanded that the agency vacate its headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, claiming it was using the land without approval from the Israel Land Authority. They also ordered UNRWA to pay 27 million shekels in back rent for the years it had used the property, treating the amount as a debt owed by the agency.
• In October 2024, the so-called "Israel Land Authority" announced the confiscation of UNRWA's land in occupied Jerusalem, paving the way for a settlement project with 1,440 housing units.
• Also in October 2024, the Knesset passed a law prohibiting UNRWA's activities in Israel, along with another law banning any contact with the agency.
• In January 2025, Israel demanded that UNRWA cease operations in Jerusalem and evacuate all its facilities by January 30, 2025.
• In February 2025, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the implementation of this law, which prohibits UNRWA activities in Israel.
• In January 2026, the Israeli occupation authorities announced the takeover of the UNRWA headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem after storming the site and demolishing most of its facilities.
