Palestine condemns Israeli approval of defense complex on site of former UNRWA headquarters

RAMALLAH, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Israel's approval of building a new defense complex at the site of the former headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem is a "serious violation of international law," the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said Monday.

In a press statement, the ministry said converting the UNRWA headquarters into Israeli military and security installations "represents a dangerous precedent that threatens the international legal system and directly undermines the legal foundations governing the work of the United Nations and its institutions and their immunity in occupied territories."

Building Israeli facilities on the ruins of the UNRWA headquarters reflects a policy of imposing a fait accompli, and has serious repercussions, it said.

The plan to build the new defense complex, which includes an Israeli army museum, a recruitment office and a defense minister's office, was approved by the Israeli cabinet on Sunday, according to Israeli media.

In January, Israel demolished several buildings within the UNRWA headquarters, after seizing the site in late 2025, a move condemned by the agency as a violation of international law.

Israel considers all of Jerusalem its capital, a claim not recognized internationally, while the UN regards East Jerusalem as occupied territory. Israeli officials have long accused UNRWA of employing Hamas members, which the agency denies. Enditem