The head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) on Wednesday condemned Israel’s raid on a UN-run health centre in occupied East Jerusalem and the subsequent order to close it for 30 days, describing the move as a disregard for international law.
In a post on the X platform, Philippe Lazzarini said the targeted facility is a United Nations building and that its forced closure reflects a “deliberate disregard for international law and the United Nations”.
Lazzarini said Israeli authorities had ordered the temporary closure of the centre, depriving Palestinian refugees of access to essential primary healthcare services. He warned that the move could be followed by further measures, including plans to cut water and electricity supplies to UNRWA facilities in the coming weeks, affecting health and education services.
He linked the actions to legislation passed by the Knesset in December, which strengthened earlier laws adopted in 2024 targeting the agency’s operations.
The UNRWA chief stressed that a ruling by the International Court of Justice affirms Israel’s obligation under international law to facilitate the agency’s work.
At the end of 2025, the Knesset approved legislation to cut electricity and water supplies to UNRWA offices, a move that drew widespread international criticism and condemnation.