UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on the Israeli government to revoke its decision mandating the cessation of all operations by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Jerusalem and the evacuation of its premises by the end of Thursday.

WASHINGTON, Jan 29: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the Israeli government to reverse its decision to suspend the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Jerusalem, emphasizing the vital role the agency plays in serving the Palestinian population.

Implementation of a ban on the U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA in Israel - due to start on Thursday - will be disastrous, the UNRWA chief told the Security Council on Tuesday, as the United States accused it of being "irresponsible and dangerous.