Source: UN News: Saturday, January 17, 2026 00:01 AM
Filipe Lazzarini, head of the UN Assistance Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), said the temporary closure of a UN-run health center in East Jerusalem was the latest example of “a trend of willful disregard for international law”. It is noteworthy that Israeli security forces, UNRWA After the attack on this health center run by PWD last Monday, it was ordered to be closed for 30 days. He also demanded removal of the UN signboard. Tweet URL
In the coming weeks, water and electricity supplies are planned to be cut off at several UNRWA facilities, affecting schools, health centers and other critical buildings. Ignoring international law The UN agency’s Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, said in a message on the social media platform It is the result of a law passed by the Israeli Parliament in December that tightens anti-UNRWA laws until 2024. UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler told UN News that the Jerusalem health center treats hundreds of Palestinian refugee patients every day. For most of them, it is the only way to access primary health care, he said, and so it The right to health is also linked. He stressed that all UNRWA facilities are United Nations property, protected under international law, and apply worldwide. ‘Anti-humanitarian measures’ Spokesman Jonathan Fowler described the cutting off of water and electricity supplies as “an anti-humanitarian” measure in many respects, and described it as “particularly shocking”. He reminded that in October 2025, the International Court ofICJ) had reiterated in clear words that Israel has an obligation under international law to facilitate the work of UNRWA, not to prevent or disrupt it. But it continues despite this. The UNRWA spokesperson also warned about the possible wider consequences of this step. “These are shameful steps. And it’s very, very important that the whole world is aware of this, because this is not just limited to East Jerusalem.” “This is not just limited to UNRWA. This situation can have an impact globally, because it is part of this trend of disregard for international law.”