Israel moves to convert UNRWA site into school as UN threatens protest

In the densely populated East Jerusalem district of Kafr Aqab, Israeli municipal teams will soon start converting an empty UNRWA compound into a new school campus, intended to accommodate more than 140 pupils initially and later expand to serve roughly 22,000 locals. Officials say the project tackles chronic overcrowding, where children endure long commutes due to a lack of classrooms. They contend the United Nations is opposing the plan to preserve UNRWA’s footprint after Israel banned the agency following allegations of staff involvement in the Oct. 7 attacks.

UNRWA has labeled recent Israeli entries onto the site as unlawful seizures of UN-protected property and urged Israel to halt interference. Israeli representatives maintain the land has always been under Israeli ownership, citing a 1937 purchase by the Jewish National Fund and Jordanian-granted usage rights after 1948. The UN has not responded to requests for comment, but officials anticipate a diplomatic clash once renovations begin.