The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has strongly condemned Israel’s actions in occupied East Jerusalem, describing them as unlawful and contrary to international law.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesperson, Farhan Haq, Guterres denounced the Israeli authorities’ entry on January 12 into the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Jerusalem Health Centre and the subsequent order for its temporary closure.
The UN chief also expressed deep concern over information that utility providers may soon cut electricity and water supplies to several UNRWA facilities in occupied East Jerusalem, a move that could severely disrupt essential humanitarian services for الفلسطيني refugees.
Recalling Israel’s obligations under international law, the statement stressed that these actions are inconsistent with the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which guarantees the inviolability of UN premises and protects its operations from interference.
The statement further referenced the seizure of UNRWA’s Sheikh Jarrah compound, noting that on January 8, 2026, Guterres conveyed his grave concerns directly to the Prime Minister of Israel and formally brought the issue before the Presidents of the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.
According to Haq, the Israeli actions constitute a violation of the inviolability of United Nations premises and pose a direct obstacle to the implementation of the General Assembly’s mandate for UNRWA’s continued operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.
The Secretary-General urged the Israeli government to immediately reverse the measures, restore the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound and the Jerusalem Health Centre, and ensure the uninterrupted provision of essential utilities to all UNRWA facilities in the area.
Abuja Network News
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