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.

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.

Israeli officials have not spelt out how they will enforce the legislation passed last year by Israel's parliament, which accused Unrwa of being complicit with Hamas - an allegation the agency denied.