Evacuation of UNRWA complex in Jerusalem begins
In a statement published on behalf of UNRWA, it was reported that armed personnel entered the facility and detained twenty employees. "We strongly condemn the illegal actions taken at our facility," the organization wrote. Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the matter, stating: "We will not allow a body whose employees were involved in the October 7 massacre to operate on the state's territory."
Police forces raided an UNRWA training complex in Kafr Aqab on Tuesday. This follows the announcement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who stated: "In accordance with my directive and following the law we passed, the evacuation of the UNRWA complex in Kafr Aqab in Jerusalem has begun today." He later clarified: "The State of Israel will not allow an organization whose employees were involved in terrorism and the October 7 massacre to operate on its territory and will act against it with all available tools."
In a statement published on behalf of UNRWA, it was written that armed personnel entered the facility and detained twenty employees who were present at the site. "We strongly condemn the illegal actions taken today at our facility," the organization wrote on its website.
According to various reports, the complex is a "training facility" which, according to UNRWA's claims, receives refugees and conducts workshops. Following the police raid, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Jerusalem Municipality had already begun work at the site to convert it into an educational center.
As recalled, the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee approved legislation intended to end UNRWA's activity in Israel. The bills determine that UNRWA will not be able to operate a representation, provide services, or conduct any activity on the sovereign territory of the State of Israel, that the organization's diplomatic status will be revoked, and that diplomatic visas for UNRWA personnel will be denied.
In addition, UNRWA will no longer be entitled to tax benefits. After the proposal's approval in the committee, the law is expected to be brought for a vote in the second and third readings in the plenum. MK Yulia Malinovsky called on the Knesset Speaker to "bring the law to a vote as soon as possible so that we can get rid of UNRWA once and for all."
Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir also issued a statement: "Israel Police forces are working with the relevant authorities to implement the law and remove UNRWA from the site. An organization whose employees were involved in terrorism and which served time after time as a cover for Hamas has no right to exist for one more second."
Meanwhile, this move follows the closure of UNRWA schools that took place in May 2025. The UN agency claimed that the police closed three of its schools in East Jerusalem, following the law passed a few months ago that prohibits the agency's activity. Closure notices were posted on the entrances to the schools, and UNRWA said that at least one staff member was arrested.
"Starting from May 8, 2025, it will be forbidden to operate educational institutions, employ teachers, or any other staff, and it will be forbidden to host students," the closure order stated.
UNRWA's director in the West Bank, Roland Friedrich, told the news agency that armed forces surrounded three of the agency's schools in the Shuafat refugee camp in East Jerusalem at 9:00. Friedrich added that 550 students, aged six to 15, were present during the enforcement of the closure orders, and called the event a "traumatic experience for young children who are at immediate risk of losing their access to education."
