Israeli Cabinet Approves Military Compound at Former UNRWA Headquarters Site in Gaza

The Israeli cabinet approved plans on May 18, 2026 to construct a military compound at the site of the former UNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency) headquarters in Gaza. UNRWA was banned from operating on Israeli-controlled territory following Israeli legislation in late 2024; the ban took effect January 2025. Israel has accused UNRWA of harboring members with ties to Hamas who participated in the October 7 attack — allegations UNRWA has disputed. The conversion of the former UN agency's main operational hub in Gaza into an Israeli military installation marks a significant step in Israel's effort to permanently exclude UNRWA from Gaza's humanitarian governance. UNRWA has maintained that no substitute agency exists capable of delivering humanitarian assistance at the scale required for Gaza's 2.1 million residents. The former UNRWA compound in Gaza City was the main coordination point for food, medical, and shelter assistance for hundreds of thousands of registered Palestinian refugees. The decision is expected to draw condemnation from UN agencies and European governments.