Mukataa

Mukataa (also spelled Muqataa) is a compound of buildings which contain governmental offices and local administrative headquarters. The term Mukataa is derived from Arabic and it is most commonly used to describe the Palestinian government and bureaus centers.

Related Topics:
Buildings - Arabic - Palestinian - Government

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Palestinian Mukataas were mostly built during the British Mandate and were used both as British government centers and as a dwelling to the British administrative staff. Some Mukataas also include police stations and prisons.

Related Topics:
Palestinian - British Mandate - Police station - Prison

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After the Oslo Accords, the Mukataas were used as governmental offices and headquarters for the Palestinian Authority. The Mukaatas in Ramallah and Gaza (the two major Palestinian cities) were also used as headquarters to the high Palestinian Authority leadership, including an office for Yasser Arafat, who was elected president of the Palestinian Authority in January 1996.

Related Topics:
Oslo Accords - Palestinian Authority - Ramallah - Gaza - Yasser Arafat - January 1996

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During Operation Defensive Shield in April 2002, the Israeli Defence Forces raided the Mukataas in the West Bank. Some Mukataas, including the Mukataa in Hebron, were entirely demolished. The Mukataa in Ramallah was partially destroyed.

Related Topics:
Operation Defensive Shield - April 2002 - Israeli Defence Forces - West Bank - Hebron - Ramallah

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