NEW YORK, January 30, 2025 (WAFA) - The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said it was forced to move its staff from Jerusalem after Israel decided to close its offices in the city.

On Thursday, two Israeli Knesset laws targeting the agency's work in the Palestinian territories came into effect.

On Wednesday, the Israeli Supreme Court rejected a "petition request" submitted by human rights groups seeking an interim order to postpone the implementation of decisions limiting UNRWA's operations in the occupied territories.

These groups stressed that these "laws violate basic human rights and Israel's duties as an occupying power," warning of dire humanitarian consequences.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, informed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that the agency must cease all its activities in occupied Jerusalem and vacate its buildings by Thursday.

The first law prohibits UNRWA’s activities within “areas under Israeli sovereignty,” including operating representative offices and providing services, while the other law prohibits any contact with the agency.

For the agency, cutting off contact will effectively end coordination to ensure safe movements for UNRWA’s Palestinian staff, impose dangerous working conditions on them, and prevent its international employees from obtaining entry visas and working in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The law will also place obstacles in the way of UNRWA’s dealings with Israeli banks, obtaining financial transfers, paying salaries, and settling its dues.

K.T