NEW YORK, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the Israeli occupation' unlawful entry into a United Nations property in occupied East Jerusalem, the UNRWA Jerusalem Health Centre, and the order of its temporary closure.
The UNRWA Jerusalem Health Centre, which serves hundreds of Palestine refugee patients every day is, for most of them, their only possibility of having access to primary healthcare, he said in a press statement late Thursday.
This action follows the seizure by the Israeli occupation of the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound and the adoption and amendment by the occupation's Knesset of a law to cease UNRWA operations, he added.
The UN chief also voiced deep concern that UNRWA has been informed that utility providers will soon cease supplying electricity and water services to multiple UNRWA facilities in occupied East Jerusalem.
The Secretary-General deeply regretted that the Israeli occupation has continued to take further action inconsistent with its obligations under international law, including the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations.
He termed these measures as a violation of the inviolability of United Nations premises, and an obstacle to the implementation of the clear mandate of the General Assembly for UNRWA's continued operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. He urged the Israeli occupation to immediately take steps to return and restore the UNRWA Sheikh Jarrah compound and the UNRWA Jerusalem Health Centre, and to ensure that essential utilities to UNRWA premises are maintained. (end) ast.mt