UN Chief Condemns Israel for Cutting Utilities to UNRWA Facilities

The Kabul Tribune (KT) - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Wednesday condemned Israel’s decision to cut electricity and water to facilities owned by the UN Palestinian refugee agency, a UN spokesperson said.

Reuters reported that a UN spokesperson said the move would “further impede” UNRWA’s ability to operate and carry out its activities.

“The Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations remains applicable to UNRWA, its property and assets, and to its officials and other personnel. Property used by UNRWA is inviolable,” said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary-general. He added that UNRWA is an “integral” part of the United Nations.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini also condemned the move, calling it part of an ongoing “systematic campaign to discredit UNRWA and thereby obstruct” its role in assisting Palestinian refugees.

In 2024, Israel passed a law banning the agency from operating in the country and prohibiting officials from having contact with it. As a result, UNRWA continues to operate in East Jerusalem, which the UN considers occupied territory, though Israel considers all of Jerusalem part of its sovereign territory.

The agency provides education, healthcare, and humanitarian aid to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Relations with Israel have long been tense and have worsened since the start of the Gaza war, with Israel repeatedly calling for UNRWA to be disbanded and its responsibilities transferred to other UN agencies.

The prohibition of basic utilities comes as Israel also suspended dozens of international NGOs working in Gaza for failing to meet new vetting rules. In a joint statement, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom warned that such measures would severely affect access to essential services, including healthcare. They said that one in three healthcare facilities in Gaza could close if international NGO operations were halted.