Hamas said Israel’s decision to convert the former UNRWA headquarters in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood into Israeli military facilities represents a violation of international law and the protections granted to UN institutions.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Hamas described the move as “null and void” and called for international action, including what it termed deterrent sanctions against the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Earlier on Sunday, the Israel government approved plans to establish an office for Defence Minister Yisrael Katz, an army museum and a military recruitment centre on the site of the former UNRWA compound in occupied Jerusalem.
READ: Jerusalem Governorate condemns Israel’s plan to turn UNRWA compound into military facilities
A joint statement from the Israeli Ministry of Defence and the Jerusalem municipality said 36 dunams of land would be allocated for the project, including the construction of a new Israeli army museum and a modern recruitment facility.
Hamas condemned the decision, describing it as part of a broader Israeli effort to consolidate control over Palestinian land and alter the character of Jerusalem.
The movement said the measure reflected what it described as disregard for the United Nations and its institutions and called on the international community to intervene to reverse the decision and pressure Israel to halt further actions against Palestinian land and holy sites.
READ: Hamas calls on Fatah to meet over “national strategy”
