Guterres slams Israeli moves to block UNRWA operations
Tehran - BORNA - The condemnation was issued in a statement released late last night by the Office of the UN Spokesperson.
According to the statement, the Secretary-General criticized amendments approved by the Israeli Knesset to legislation aimed at halting UNRWA’s operations. The measures were passed on December 29, 2015.
The amendments, the statement said, “are designed to further obstruct UNRWA's operations and its ability to carry out its mandated tasks.”
Guterres stressed that the amendments and related decisions are incompatible with UNRWA’s legal status and violate the framework of international law.
He underscored that UNRWA is an integral component of the United Nations system and insisted that the measures must be rescinded immediately.
'Israel' suspending humanitarian organizations
This is happening as "Israel’s" Ministry of Diaspora Affairs has warned that 37 humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza could face a suspension of their activities starting Thursday if they fail to submit the names of their Palestinian staff within the set deadline.
The occupation ministry released a list of the affected NGOs, which includes major humanitarian actors such as Médecins Sans Frontières, the Norwegian Refugee Council, CARE, World Vision, and Oxfam. According to ministry spokesperson Gilad Zwick, these organizations have so far refused to provide the requested staff information. He claimed that the matter could have been addressed over the past ten months, but was not.
Zwick added that the organizations still have until midnight Wednesday–Thursday to comply and avoid the ban, though he expressed "serious doubts" about their ability to do so in under 12 hours, emphasizing that resumption of operations will require full adherence to the specified standards "without evasion or manipulation."
The decision has drawn criticism from the United Nations and the European Union. In Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk described the Israeli announcement as "outrageous," warning that such measures would further exacerbate Gaza’s already deteriorating humanitarian situation and urging influential states to pressure for unhindered humanitarian access.
In Brussels, the EU warned that suspending NGO operations would block critical aid to the region. European Commissioner Hajja Lahbib stressed that the NGO registration law cannot be applied in its current form, noting that international humanitarian law obliges assistance to reach those in need.
MSF warns 'Israel' could force it to suspend operations in Gaza
Earlier, Doctors without Borders (MSF) warned that Israeli authorities could force it to suspend its operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank in 2026, following a decision to revoke its registration.
In comments to AFP on December 31, the organization said it is urgently seeking clarification after being notified that its authorization to operate will be withdrawn, a move that would require MSF to cease its activities by March 1, 2026.
"We call on the Israeli authorities to ensure that MSF and other INGOs (international non-governmental organisations) are registered in Israel to continue working in the West Bank and Gaza in 2026," MSF said.
Foreign ministers from 10 countries express concern over Gaza humanitarian situation
Foreign ministers from ten countries expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, describing conditions as “catastrophic” and warning that civilians are facing extreme hardship as winter sets in. Britain, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Japan, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland highlighted the urgent need for action.
The ministers pointed to severe gaps in shelter, healthcare, and sanitation, noting that 1.3 million people still require urgent shelter support, more than half of health facilities are only partially functional, and 740,000 people are at risk from toxic flooding due to failing sanitation infrastructure.
They urged "Israel" to allow the UN and partner organizations to continue operations, end what they called “unreasonable restrictions” on dual-use imports, and open additional border crossings to boost humanitarian aid, including at the critical Rafah crossing. Delays caused by customs processes and extensive screenings were also highlighted as a major obstacle.
The statement emphasized that current aid targets, including 4,200 trucks per week and 250 UN trucks per day, should be a minimum rather than a limit. Despite a ceasefire agreement in October allowing “full aid,” Israeli bombardment and a total blockade continue to leave civilians, particularly children, vulnerable to freezing conditions and ongoing violence.
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