Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Aug 26: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on Tuesday began evacuating its compound in Kafr Aqab, Jerusalem, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the evacuation was carried out on his directive and following legislation passed by Israel.
"In accordance with my directive and following the law we passed, the evacuation of the UNRWA compound in Kafr Aqab, Jerusalem, began today," Netanyahu said.
He alleged that UNRWA employees had been complicit in terrorism and the October 7 attack, and said Israel would not allow the agency to operate within its territory.
"The State of Israel will not allow an organisation whose employees were complicit in terrorism and the October 7 massacre to operate within its territory, and will act against it by all means at its disposal," he said.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz held a security assessment on Sunday over drones, balloons and kites being launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel.
The meeting was attended by Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, the head of the National Security Council and senior Israel Defence Forces (IDF) officials.
Israel warned Hamas that it would intensify targeted strikes against those responsible if the launches were not halted immediately.
"Israel warns Hamas that if the launches toward Israel do not cease immediately, the IDF will act to increase targeted strikes against those responsible for the launches and will evacuate the population from areas used as launch sites for kites, drones, and balloons," a joint statement said.
Netanyahu also said Israel would not return to the situation that existed before October 7.
"The Prime Minister clarified that there will be no return to the state of affairs prior to October 7. Israel will not allow the Hamas terrorist organisation or any other element in the Gaza Strip to threaten our communities again and compromise our citizens' sense of security," the statement added.
Separately, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said last week that Netanyahu and the Board of Peace had agreed to establish working groups on the disarmament and demilitarisation of Gaza.
One group will focus on disarmament and demilitarisation, which Israel and the Board of Peace want completed before any reconstruction begins in Gaza.
A second working group will address sanitation, clean water and other public health concerns affecting Gaza's population and, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, having an impact on Israel as well.
The developments come amid continued Israeli security measures and efforts concerning Gaza's future governance, reconstruction and security arrangements.