Guteress warned that the measures undermine international law and must be repealed immediately.

In a statement issued on December 29, 2025, the UN said the amendments to the Law to Cease UNRWA Operations further obstruct the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East from carrying out its mandated humanitarian and development work.

The Secretary-General underlined that UNRWA is an integral part of the United Nations system and operates under a well-established international legal framework. He recalled Israel’s obligations under the UN Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, stressing that these protections remain fully applicable to UNRWA, its property and its personnel.

The statement noted that UNRWA property is inviolable and that any attempt to restrict its operations contravenes international law. It also referenced an advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice on October 22, 2025, which concluded that Israel is obligated to ensure full respect for the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, including those of UNRWA, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The UN chief reaffirmed strong support for the agency, emphasising its indispensable role in delivering education, healthcare, food assistance and emergency relief to millions of Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank and across the region.

He further highlighted that UNRWA’s continued operations in Gaza are central to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 (2025) and the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict, which seeks to stabilise conditions on the ground and address urgent humanitarian needs.

The condemnation comes amid heightened international concern over access to humanitarian assistance in Gaza, where aid agencies warn that restrictions on UNRWA could significantly worsen an already dire humanitarian situation.

–UN/ChannelAfrica–