Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
December 8, 2025 UN
UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned the Israeli authorities' unauthorized entry into the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) compound in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, on Monday.
According to the UN chief, the United Nations premises are "inviolable and immune from any interference." António Guterres recalled that the International Court of Justice recently confirmed that any administrative, judicial, or legislative action against UN property and assets is prohibited. Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
Details of the incident
UNRWA Director Philippe Lazzarini reported that Israeli police, along with municipal officials, forcibly entered the compound. Motorcycles, trucks, and forklifts were driven into the compound, communications were cut off, and furniture, computer equipment, and other property were confiscated. Furthermore, the UN flag was removed and replaced with an Israeli one.
UN response
António Guterres called on Israel to "immediately take all necessary steps to restore and ensure the integrity of UNRWA premises" and to refrain from any further actions against the agency, in accordance with its obligations under the UN Charter and international law.
Philippe Lazzarini called the incident "a flagrant disregard for Israel's obligations as a UN member state" and warned that such actions set a dangerous precedent for the work of the Organization worldwide.
UNRWA provides health, education, and other services to approximately six million Palestine refugees in five regions of the Middle East, including the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The agency's facilities have been repeatedly attacked since the outbreak of hostilities in Gaza following the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
According to Lazzarini, the East Jerusalem complex has been empty since the beginning of the year after the Israeli parliament passed legislation targeting UNRWA.
International legal status
Lazzarini emphasized that “regardless of any internal measures taken, the complex retains its status as a UN facility, inviolable and immune from any interference.”
Israel is a party to the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, which protects the Organization's premises and property from any form of seizure or prosecution. The International Court of Justice also affirmed Israel's obligation to cooperate with UNRWA and other UN agencies.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.