This morning (Tuesday, January 26, 2026), inspectors from the Land Protection Division of the Israel Land Authority (ILA), accompanied by police forces, completed the seizure of possession and began the process of evacuating the UNRWA compound in the Ma’alot Dafna neighborhood in Jerusalem. The compound, which covers a central area of approximately 46 dunams between Machal, Netter, and Shlomo Zalman Shragai streets, was held for many years by individuals who served the UNRWA organization and served as the agency’s headquarters and activity center in the heart of the capital.
The unprecedented evacuation is being carried out under the “Law to Halt UNRWA Activity, 5785-2024,” following a dedicated legislative amendment that granted the ILA explicit authority to seize possession and evacuate compounds that served the organization. The Authority notes that although UNRWA’s official activity at the site ceased about a year ago, the compound remained occupied by trespassers and local elements who were present there illegally. Today’s enforcement action puts an end to the illegal holding of the property.
Now that the land is returning to state management, the ILA emphasizes that the Authority will act to promote its planning and development in order to market it for the benefit of the Israeli public. Within the compound, there is a historic building: “The Police Academy,” designated as a preservation building, and the Authority will act to preserve it as part of the future planning of the area.
The ILA notes that the compound in the Ma’alot Dafna neighborhood is the first of the organization’s compounds designated for evacuation after the law came into effect. The organization has another compound in the area of Kafr Aqab in Jerusalem, where possession will also be seized and evacuation will be carried out soon in accordance with the law’s provisions and the legislator’s decision. The operation was carried out with the assistance of the Israel Police and in full coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Security Council (NSC), and the Jerusalem Municipality.
The enforcement operation carried out by the Israel Land Authority this morning comes after a series of revelations about the involvement of the organization’s employees in the murderous terrorist attack of October 7, as well as revelations about the use of the organization’s facilities in Gaza to hide Israeli hostages.
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