UNRWA warns against undermining the agency's operational presence in East Jerusalem

“Israeli forces forcibly stormed the UNRWA Jerusalem Health Center two days ago and demanded the removal of UN signs, even though the center has enjoyed the support of member states for decades and has been visited by representatives of many of them,” Frederick said in a press statement on Wednesday..

He added that the raid was followed by a temporary closure order against the health center for thirty days, with the possibility that it may not be reopened, which signals a rapidly diminishing UN presence in occupied East Jerusalem..

Frederick explained that UNRWA had simultaneously received notifications indicating the imminent cutting off of electricity and water supplies to a number of its facilities throughout East Jerusalem, including schools, health centers, and other essential service points, noting that the continued provision of humanitarian services is impossible without electricity and water..

He noted that these developments follow amendments made in December 2025 to laws passed by the Israeli Knesset against UNRWA, considering these measures to be part of an ongoing campaign waged by the Israeli occupation authorities to prevent the agency from carrying out its mandate granted to it by the United Nations General Assembly in occupied East Jerusalem, which is not under Israeli sovereignty..

He stressed that the application of Israeli law in occupied East Jerusalem is illegal, noting that the International Court of Justice had ruled in October 2025 that Israel is obligated to facilitate the relief operations provided by UNRWA, but that current measures contradict this..

Frederick warned that implementing these amendments and measures could signal the approaching end of UNRWA's operational presence in East Jerusalem, which has lasted for decades..

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