Israel Plans New Defence Base on Former UN Refugee Site

Israel’s cabinet has green‑lit a new military complex on the grounds that once housed the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in East Jerusalem. The plan follows last year’s removal of UNRWA buildings after the Israeli government seized the area, a move that drew international criticism for breaching legal norms. The Defence Ministry and Jerusalem city officials announced the future site will feature a military museum, a recruitment office and an administrative hub for the defence minister. Minister Israel Katz framed the project as a statement of sovereignty, nationalism and security. UNRWA officials have not commented on the proposal, but the agency had already stopped operating there after Israeli authorities forced it to vacate all premises in early 2024. The compound’s closure came amid accusations that some staff were linked to Hamas, a claim the agency disputes and says lacks full evidence.East Jerusalem remains a flashpoint: most countries and the United Nations view it as occupied territory captured from Jordan in 1967, while Israel claims the entire city as its undivided capital. UNRWA runs schools, clinics and shelters across Gaza, the West Bank and other parts of the region, serving millions of Palestinians. The decision to erect a recruitment office on the former UNRWA site is seen by some as a symbolic act, especially given allegations that former staff participated in the October 7 attacks. Israel’s narrative contrasts with Gaza’s reports of heavy civilian casualties amid its ongoing conflict with the Israeli army.