New york: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a warning to Israel, indicating the potential referral of the country to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) if it fails to repeal laws targeting the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) and return seized assets and property.

According to Qatar News Agency, in a letter dated January 8 to the Prime Minister of Israel, Guterres emphasized that the UN cannot overlook the actions taken by Israel which, he stated, directly contravene Israel's obligations under international law. He urged that these actions must be reversed immediately.

The Israeli parliament's legislation, passed in October 2024, prohibits UNRWA from operating within the country and restricts officials from contacting the agency. The law was further amended last month to cut off electricity and water supplies to UNRWA facilities.

Additionally, last month, Israeli authorities seized UNRWA's offices located in East Jerusalem. Jonathan Fowler, UNRWA's Senior Communications Manager, highlighted the risks that these new restrictions pose to NGOs operating in Gaza.