European nations condemn Israeli legislation blocking water, electricity to UNRWA facilities
'We also call on Israel to ensure that established international NGOs continue to be permitted to operate in Gaza and that any deregistrations be halted,' joint statement says
Displaced Palestinians live in tents and makeshift shelters at UNRWA schools: Photo:Abed Rahim Khatib/AA
LONDON
Seven European countries on Monday condemned Israeli legislation that includes measures to cut water, electricity and communications to facilities run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA).
“Such actions undermine the UN mandate, violate international law, and contravene the findings of the International Court of Justice, while also entailing serious humanitarian consequences for the Palestinian civilian population and refugees,” said a joint statement by Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Slovenia and Spain.
The statement called on Israel to ensure that established international NGOs “continue to be permitted to operate in Gaza and that any deregistrations be halted.”
It noted that the work of the UN, in particular UNRWA, together with other humanitarian organizations and NGOs, is "essential" to confront the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.
"We underline the obligation to ensure full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and to enable the continued functioning of UN humanitarian operations and their partners, in line with IHL (international humanitarian law) and relevant international legal obligations, the statement said.
It added: "Respect for the privileges and immunities of the United Nations and for international humanitarian law is imperative."
Last week, Israel’s parliament approved amendments to the Law to Cease UNRWA Operations, blocking the provision of electricity and water to UNRWA facilities.
On Sept. 29, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced a 20-point plan to end the war on Gaza, including a ceasefire, the release of Israeli captives, disarmament of Hamas, an Israeli withdrawal from the enclave, the formation of a technocratic administration, and the deployment of an international stabilization force.
The first phase of the agreement took effect on Oct. 10, 2025, but Israel has continued to violate some of its provisions and has delayed moving to the second phase.
Since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on Oct. 10, the Israeli army has committed hundreds of violations, killing 420 Palestinians and wounding 1,184 others, according to the Health Ministry.
The ceasefire halted Israel’s two-year war that killed nearly 71,400 Palestinians, most of them women and children, injured more than 171,200 others, and left the enclave in ruins.
