Israel plans to establish military facilities at the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) compound in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, a site seized by Israel in January 2026 after raids and accusations of harboring militants [1, 2, 3]. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the decision on May 20, calling it "completely unacceptable" and denouncing the Israeli authorities’ plan to build military facilities at the compound they seized earlier this year [1, 2, 3].
The UNRWA compound remains UN property and United Nations premises despite Israel's seizure. Guterres said Israel's actions breach the inviolability of UN premises and obstruct the UN mandate in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem [1, 2, 3]. He stressed that Israel has no sovereign rights in these territories and must end its illegal presence as soon as possible [1, 2, 3]. The international court has affirmed that Israel’s actions in this case are unlawful [1, 2, 3].
Israel shut down the UNRWA compound in Sheikh Jarrah in January after raids prompted accusations that UNRWA was harboring Hamas militants [1]. Following this, Israel advanced plans to convert part of the compound for military use [1, 2, 3]. Guterres urged Israel to rescind the military facility decision and return full control of the compound to the United Nations immediately [1, 2, 3].
The dispute comes amid ongoing tensions over East Jerusalem and reflects broader conflicts over sovereignty and control in the occupied Palestinian territories. The UN is awaiting Israel’s response to Guterres’ call for reversal of its military plans at the Sheikh Jarrah compound [1, 2, 3].
