Israel’s Ban on UNRWA: Potential Impacts on Palestinian Refugees
Israel’s parliament has passed a new law that bans the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating within its territories and Israeli-controlled areas, which include Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. This legislation, set to take effect within 90 days, will cut off critical services, such as food, healthcare, and education, that UNRWA provides to millions of Palestinian refugees. As a primary aid organization in Gaza, UNRWA has been responsible for the distribution of essential supplies to nearly two million Gazans.
The move has provoked international concern, with the United Nations, European Union, and several Western countries warning that the ban could significantly worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and leave a vacuum in aid distribution. The United States has criticized the legislation, citing the agency’s vital role in Gaza, particularly during the ongoing conflict, while UNRWA leaders have warned that such actions set a “dangerous precedent.”
While Israel claims that some UNRWA staff have ties to Hamas, the agency denies knowingly harboring militants and has terminated the contracts of staff with alleged connections. International leaders argue that halting UNRWA’s work could escalate tensions and worsen conditions for Palestinian refugees, many of whom live in extreme poverty and depend on the agency’s support.
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