Israel to establish defence offices in former UNRWA compound
Israel's cabinet has approved the construction of a defence compound on the site of a former UNRWA facility in East Jerusalem, which was demolished earlier in 2026. The new compound will include a military museum, recruitment office, and the defence minister's office, according to a joint statement. UNRWA, which Israel accuses of bias and ties to Hamas, had ceased operations at the site after being ordered to vacate by Israeli authorities.
- ▪Israel demolished UNRWA's East Jerusalem compound in January 2026 after seizing the site in 2025.
- ▪The new defence compound will house a military museum, recruitment office, and the defence minister's office.
- ▪UNRWA has been accused by Israel of having staff involved in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, though the agency says Israel has not provided full evidence.
- ▪Defence Minister Israel Katz framed the decision as an assertion of sovereignty, Zionism, and security.
- ▪UNRWA provides essential services to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East, including in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Israel to establish defence offices in former UNRWA compoundSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 17, 2026, 08:18 PMUpdated May 17, 2026, 08:18 PMJERUSALEM, May 17 - Israel's cabinet on Sunday approved a plan to build a defence compound on the site of the recently demolished premises of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in East Jerusalem.Israel in January demolished structures inside the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency's East Jerusalem compound after seizing the site last year, in an act condemned by the agency as a violation of international law.In a joint statement, the Defence Ministry and Jerusalem Municipality said the new compound would include the establishment of a military museum, a recruitment office and a defence minister's…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.