UN Chief Condemns Israeli Law Blocking Water and Electricity to UNRWA Facilities

Haitian Prime News

January 1, 2026

United Nations Headquarters, New York

The Secretary-General of the United Nations has sharply condemned a new Israeli law that blocks the supply of electricity, water, and other essential services to facilities operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), warning that the measure violates international law and threatens critical humanitarian operations.

In a statement released on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the legislation undermines the legal protections granted to UN agencies and could severely disrupt lifesaving assistance for millions of Palestinian refugees.

“The inviolability of United Nations premises, property, and operations must be respected at all times,” a UN spokesperson said, adding that cutting off basic utilities would make it impossible for UNRWA to operate schools, clinics, shelters, and food distribution centers in already fragile conditions.

The law, recently passed by Israel’s Knesset, prohibits Israeli authorities and service providers from supplying electricity, water, communications, banking services, and potentially fuel to UNRWA facilities. It follows earlier Israeli measures banning the agency from operating inside Israel and restricting official contact with its staff.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini described the legislation as “outrageous,” warning that it directly targets humanitarian infrastructure and places vulnerable civilian populations at further risk. According to UN officials, utilities are essential for healthcare delivery, sanitation, education, refrigeration of medicines, and safe shelter operations.

Humanitarian organizations and several governments have echoed the UN’s concerns, cautioning that the law could accelerate the collapse of basic services in Gaza and parts of the occupied Palestinian territories, where civilians already face acute shortages due to prolonged conflict and restrictions.

Israeli officials defending the legislation have argued it is necessary for national security and oversight, citing concerns about UNRWA’s role and neutrality. The UN has rejected these claims as insufficient justification for measures that interfere with protected humanitarian operations.

The dispute marks a further escalation in tensions between Israel and international humanitarian actors, raising broader questions about the protection of aid agencies and civilian populations under international humanitarian law.

— Haitian Prime News