NEW YORK: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has strongly condemned Israel’s legislative and administrative moves aimed at blocking humanitarian organisations in Gaza, warning that the measures are deepening an already catastrophic crisis for Palestinians and undermining the international legal order.
In a statement issued through his spokesman Stéphane Dujarric, Guterres said recent amendments adopted by Israel’s parliament are designed to further cripple the work of UNRWA, the UN body mandated to assist Palestinian refugees.
“These amendments seek to further impede UNRWA’s ability to operate and carry out its mandated activities,” Guterres said, adding that the law and its amendments are inconsistent with the international legal framework governing the agency and “must be immediately repealed”.
The UN chief stressed that UNRWA is an integral component of the United Nations and is fully protected under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN, which guarantees the inviolability of its property, assets and personnel. “Property used by UNRWA is inviolable,” he said, recalling Israel’s obligations under the UN Charter.
Guterres also pointed to an advisory opinion issued on October 22 by the International Court of Justice, which affirmed Israel’s duty to fully respect the privileges and immunities of the United Nations in the occupied Palestinian territory, including UNRWA and its staff.
Reaffirming his “strong support” for the agency, Guterres said UNRWA plays an indispensable role in sustaining Palestinian life in Gaza and across the region. He noted that its continued operations are central to implementing UN Security Council resolution 2803 (2025) and the broader plan to end the Gaza conflict.
The condemnation follows a series of steps by Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, which this week gave final approval to a bill cutting electricity and water supplies to UNRWA offices, with immediate effect. According to Israeli media, the bill passed its second and third readings with 59 lawmakers voting in favour and seven opposed.
In October 2024, the Knesset also approved a separate law banning UNRWA activities in Israel, citing allegations that some of the agency’s staff were involved in the October 7, 2023 attacks — accusations the agency has repeatedly denied and which have not been substantiated by independent investigations.
European officials have also raised alarm. EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib warned that Israel’s plans to block international non-governmental organisations from operating in Gaza would amount to blocking life-saving humanitarian aid.
“Israel’s plans to block INGOs in Gaza means blocking life-saving aid,” Lahbib said in a post on X, stressing that the EU has made clear the NGO registration law cannot be implemented in its current form. She added that international humanitarian law leaves “no room for doubt” that assistance must reach civilians in need.
Despite a ceasefire agreement taking effect in October, Israel continues to keep Gaza’s crossings largely closed, preventing the entry of mobile homes and key reconstruction materials. Aid agencies say the restrictions have worsened conditions for more than two million Palestinians already facing severe shortages of food, shelter and medical supplies.
Palestinian officials say at least 414 people have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire began, raising serious questions about Israel’s compliance with its obligations to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian access.
