Israel has prohibited the UN Palestinian refugee organization UNRWA from functioning within its borders – a decision that could hinder its operations in Gaza.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, has cautioned that this ban “will only exacerbate the suffering of Palestinians, particularly those in Gaza.”
Juliette Touma, the communications director for UNRWA, remarked, “It is the largest humanitarian agency in Gaza. Who else can perform its role?”
The new legislation that was enacted by the Knesset on Monday prohibits the agency from maintaining any relationships with Israeli officials and revokes the legal protections of its personnel.
The Israeli parliament has also classified the organization as a terror group.
The law is scheduled to come into effect 60 to 90 days after notification from Israel’s foreign ministry to the UN, according to a spokesman for Dan Illouz, a co-sponsor of one of the Bills.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed the UK’s “serious concern” regarding the ban, stating that it threatens “the entire international humanitarian response in Gaza and the provision of essential health and educational services in the West Bank.”
Labeling the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as “entirely unacceptable,” he called for an “immediate ceasefire, the liberation of hostages, and a considerable increase in aid to Gaza.”
He emphasized that, under international obligations, Israel “must guarantee adequate assistance reaches civilians in Gaza.”
“Only UNRWA has the capacity to deliver humanitarian aid at the necessary scale and speed. We urge Israeli lawmakers to permit UNRWA to continue its vital work,” Mr. Starmer stated.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy denounced the measures as “completely misguided.”
A spokesman for the US State Department, Matthew Miller, expressed “deep concern” over the legislation, asserting that “currently, there is no alternative to replace them [UNRWA] amidst this crisis.”
UNRWA, which is accountable for over five million Palestinian refugees, has faced numerous assaults from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who claims it has affiliations with Hamas and other militant factions.
In August, nine employees of the agency were terminated following an investigation that suggested they may have participated in Hamas’s attack on October 7 against Israel.
The UN initiated an inquiry into purported connections following Israel’s initial claims of the group’s collusion with the attack in January.
More than 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced from their residences, and Gaza is grappling with severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
This development not only marks a new low in the relationship between UNRWA and Israel but also severely impacts the agency and the Palestinians in Gaza who have increasingly depended on it for assistance throughout over a year of conflict.
UNRWA delivers education, healthcare, and other fundamental services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the region, including in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
On Sunday, seven European foreign ministries, including that of the UK, warned that any efforts to limit UNRWA’s operations would have “devastating consequences for an already dire and rapidly worsening humanitarian situation.”
Initially, when Israel raised allegations against UNRWA, it prompted leading donor nations to halt their financial support for the agency.
The UK restored its funding for the agency in July, shortly after the Labour Party came to power.