Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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January 14, 2026 International law
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reported that Israeli security forces raided the agency's medical center in East Jerusalem and ordered its closure for 30 days, depriving hundreds of Palestinian refugees of access to primary healthcare. All UN symbols were also ordered to be removed.
UNRWA spokesman Jonathan Fowler told UN News Service that the agency's facilities are United Nations premises and are protected by international law.
"An anti-humanitarian gesture"
According to him, the medical center serves several hundred patients daily.
"For most of them, this is the only way they can access primary health care," Fowler said.
He also said utility companies had notified UNRWA of plans to cut off water and electricity supplies to the agency's facilities in East Jerusalem, including medical and educational facilities, in accordance with new legislation passed by the Israeli parliament in December.
“This is an anti-humanitarian gesture in many ways,” he emphasized.
A broad campaign against UNRWA
In turn, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini called the incident part stable trend.
"This is a new step in the pattern of deliberate disregard for international law and the United Nations," he said.
He recalled that the International Court of Justice had previously confirmed that Israel was obliged to facilitate the work of UNRWA.
UNRWA Director for West Bank Affairs, including East Jerusalem, Roland Friedrich also stated that the UN presence in East Jerusalem is rapidly declining.
"Israeli security forces forcibly entered the UNRWA medical center in Jerusalem, demanding that UN signs be removed," he said.
Later, according to him, an order was issued to temporarily close the institution.
"It may never open again," Friedrich added.
He also announced planned water and electricity outages at several agency facilities.
“It is impossible to provide humanitarian services without electricity and water,” Friedrich emphasized.
The UNRWA representative also recalled that these measures followed amendments to legislation, adopted in December 2025.
"These measures are part of a campaign to hinder UNRWA to fulfill the mandate of the UN General Assembly in occupied East Jerusalem,” he said.
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