"I call on you and the Israeli government to prevent potentially devastating consequences and allow UNRWA to continue its activities in the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, in accordance with its obligations under international law, “AFP news agency quoted excerpts from Guterres' letter.

Guterres further emphasizes that "Israel, as an occupying country," must continue to be responsible for "ensuring that the needs of the population are met." "If Israel cannot do this, it is obliged to authorize and facilitate the activities of the United Nations for this purpose, including the activities of UNRWA," the UN Secretary-General argues in his letter to Netanyahu.

Israel has long criticized this organization, which deals with the provision of humanitarian supplies to the population of the Gaza Strip. The drafts of the new law were developed due to information about the alleged involvement of several UNRWA employees in the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East will have to stop "any activity" in Israel next year. This bill was approved on October 28 in the Israeli Parliament by a vote of 92 deputies against 10. As the dpa agency clarified, the adopted law means that UNRWA is unlikely to be able to continue its work in the Palestinian territories, since Israel controls all border crossings, reports dw.com.