The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has warned of the imminent disappearance of its presence in East Jerusalem. Roland Friedrich, the agency’s director in the region, denounced the Israeli aggression, which threatens to end decades of humanitarian work. The situation escalated after a violent incursion into civilian facilities and the imposition of unprecedented administrative restrictions.

Last Monday, January 12, Israeli security forces forcibly stormed the UNRWA Jerusalem Health Center. During the assault, the occupying forces violently demanded the removal of all United Nations signage from the building’s facades. Following the incident, authorities issued a 30-day closure order, though it is feared the center will never reopen.

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The harassment strategy includes cutting off vital supplies to various critical facilities of the international organization. UNRWA received notifications of the imminent suspension of water and electricity services to schools and health centers. Friedrich warned that it is impossible to provide even minimal humanitarian assistance to the refugee population if they are deprived of these basic resources.

This offensive is a response to legal amendments passed by Israel last December against the agency’s mandate. These regulations seek to unilaterally impede the functions that the UN General Assembly granted to UNRWA. The agency reiterated that applying Israeli law in East Jerusalem is illegal, as it is an occupied territory not under Israeli sovereignty.

The affected health center has served for decades as a vital support for thousands of Palestinian families in the region. Its closure represents a devastating blow to the social and health protection system for the most vulnerable sectors. According to the agency, these tactics aim to erase the UN’s presence and deepen its absolute control over the displaced population.

In this context, Roland Friedrich, UNRWA’s Director for the Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, pointed out that in October 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled “that Israel is obligated to facilitate the assistance provided by UNRWA. However, current actions represent the exact opposite. These amendments, if implemented, will mark the end of UNRWA’s decades-long operational presence in East Jerusalem.”

UNRWA urged the international community to intervene in the face of this flagrant violation of international law. The end of its operations in East Jerusalem would leave thousands of people who depend on its daily assistance completely without support. The organization described these maneuvers as part of a relentless campaign to dismantle humanitarian aid in the area.

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