NEW YORK, January 14, 2026 (WAFA) – UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he may refer the Israeli occupation authorities to the International Court of Justice if they do not repeal the laws targeting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and return the assets and properties they have seized.

In a letter dated January 8 to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Guterres stated, “The United Nations cannot remain indifferent to the actions taken by Israel, which are in direct contravention of its obligations under international law and must be reversed without delay.”

Last month, the occupation authorities seized UNRWA headquarters in East Jerusalem and yesterday notified the agency that electricity and water would be cut off to UNRWA buildings in Jerusalem.

It is worth noting that the Israeli Knesset passed a law in October 2024 prohibiting the agency from operating in Israel and preventing its officials from contacting the agency. This law was then amended last month to prohibit the supply of electricity or water to UNRWA facilities.

K.T