Israeli energy minister says he will ‘personally’ oversee cutoff of utilities to UN agency offices in East Jerusalem

JERUSALEM / ISTANBUL

Israel’s energy minister said Wednesday he will “personally” oversee the cutoff of water and electricity to offices of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in occupied East Jerusalem.

Speaking to Israel’s Radio 103 FM, Eli Cohen said he was heading to East Jerusalem to witness the disconnection of utilities to UNRWA-run facilities.

Cohen alleged that the UN agency “serves as an arm of Hamas,” a claim UNRWA has repeatedly denied.

Israel’s Knesset decided at the end of 2025 to cut water and electricity to UNRWA facilities in East Jerusalem, following a decision at the end of 2024 to bar the agency from operating in the occupied city and Israel.

UNRWA was established in 1949 by a vote of the UN General Assembly and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to Palestinian refugees across five areas of operation: Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza.

In separate remarks, Cohen, a member of Israel’s Security Cabinet, said any US agreement with Iran would be ineffective, describing it as “no more than a temporary pause” lasting until US President Donald Trump leaves office in 2028.

Israel has pressured the US to address Tehran’s missile program and its support for regional groups in talks with Iran, not only its nuclear activities.

Trump has threatened military action against Tehran amid rising tensions between the two sides since the outbreak of anti-government protests in Iran in late December over worsening economic conditions.

Iran has accused Washington of using sanctions, pressure and unrest as a pretext for foreign intervention aimed at regime change, and has warned it would deliver a “comprehensive and unprecedented” response to any attack.

*Writing by Lina Altawell