Unrwa ordered by Israel to stop East Jerusalem operations this week

The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) said it had been ordered by Israel to vacate its premises and cease all operations in occupied East Jerusalem by Thursday.

Unrwa said the order to cease operations violated Israel's international obligations as a UN member state.

"United Nations premises are inviolable and enjoy privileges and immunities under the United Nations Charter," the agency said, adding that Israel is obliged to respect UN "privileges and immunities".

Unrwa's communications director, Juliette Touma, said it remains unclear whether the agency would have to also stop providing services in East Jerusalem immediately after 30 January.

"If it does, then more than 1,100 students will be deprived of education and another 70,000 patients of primary healthcare,” she said.