UNRWA warns of looming end in East Jerusalem
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- UNRWA warns its long-standing presence in East Jerusalem is at risk due to 'Israeli' measures.
- Closures of health centers, potential cuts to electricity and water threaten humanitarian services.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned that its decades-long presence in East Jerusalem is under threat due to what it described as “shameful” actions by 'Israel'.
UNRWA said these measures are part of an ongoing campaign to prevent the agency from fulfilling its UN-mandated role in East Jerusalem, which lies outside Israeli sovereignty.
Health Center Raided
Roland Friedrich, UNRWA director in the West Bank, said in a post on X Tuesday that 'Israeli' security forces forcibly entered the agency’s Jerusalem Health Center on Monday, demanding the removal of UN signage. The center, supported by UN member states for decades, was ordered closed temporarily for thirty days, with the possibility it may never reopen.
Read more: Rights group warns of internal dismantling of UNRWA
Services at Risk
Friedrich warned that electricity and water supplies to several UNRWA facilities, including schools, health centers, and essential service points, may be cut. “Humanitarian services cannot operate without electricity and water,” he said.
The developments follow December 2025 amendments to Israeli laws targeting UNRWA. In late 2025, the Knesset passed legislation to cut utilities to UNRWA offices, sparking international condemnation. In October 2024, 'Israel' banned UNRWA operations nationwide, citing alleged involvement of some staff in the October 7, 2023 events, a claim the UN denies.
Legal Context and Warnings
Friedrich noted that the International Court of Justice ruled in October 2025 that 'Israel' must facilitate UNRWA relief operations, but current actions contradict this ruling. He warned that if the measures are fully implemented, they could mark the end of UNRWA’s operational presence in East Jerusalem after decades of service.
Read more: Former army chief warns ‘Israel’ faces strategic dead end
Earlier closures include UNRWA’s main office in Sheikh Jarrah and notices to shut down six schools across East Jerusalem.
