UN chief condemns Israeli law blocking electricity, water

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned on Wednesday a move by Israel to ban electricity or water to facilities owned by the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency.



A UN spokesperson said the move would "further impede" the agency's ability to operate and carry out activities.



United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees or UNRWA Commissioner General Phillipe Lazzarini also ⁠condemned the move, saying that it was part of an ongoing " systematic campaign to discredit  UNRWA and thereby obstruct" the role it plays in providing assistance to Palestinian refugees.



In 2024, the Israeli parliament passed a law banning the agency from operating in the country and prohibiting officials from having contact with the agency.

As a result, UNRWA operates in East Jerusalem, which the U.N. considers territory occupied by Israel. ⁠



Israel considers all Jerusalem to be part of the country.



The agency provides education, health and aid to millions of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.



It has long had tense relations with Israel but ties have deteriorated ⁠sharply since the start of the war in Gaza and Israel has called repeatedly for UNRWA to be disbanded, with its responsibilities transferred to other U.N. agencies.