The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is at risk after Israel’s recent decision to sever ties with the UN Palestinian Relief Agency (UNRWA), which has been providing critical aid to Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the occupied West Bank for more than seven decades. The UN agency, which serves nearly six million refugees, has been a lifeline for those living in the region, especially during the ongoing 15-month conflict.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, emphasized the agency’s essential role in delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees, describing it as a “lifeline” for millions. Despite Israel’s accusations that UNRWA has ties to Hamas and that some of its staff members were allegedly involved in the October 7 attacks, the agency has consistently denied these allegations and stated that no evidence has been provided to support them.
On Thursday, Israeli legislation came into force, which not only forbids UNRWA from operating on Israeli soil but also bars any contact between its officials and Israeli authorities. This move is likely to have significant consequences for the ongoing aid operations that are vital to Gaza’s survival under the current humanitarian crisis. The closure of UNRWA operations could further destabilize the ceasefire, warned Juliette Touma, UNRWA’s Director of Communications, who stated that the future of the ceasefire would be “in jeopardy” without the agency’s continued operations.
The UK, France, and Germany have voiced strong concerns over Israel’s decision, urging the Israeli government to collaborate with international partners, including the United Nations, to ensure the continuation of UNRWA’s work. The joint statement emphasized the importance of the agency’s humanitarian efforts, with Norway contributing $24 million to support the agency’s mission despite the ban.
However, UNRWA spokesperson Jonathan Fowler described the current situation as a “nightmare” scenario, noting that over 5,000 of the agency’s staff are still working in Gaza, where they form the backbone of the international aid operations. He raised concerns about the future of their work, stating that the agency lacks an alternative plan to provide aid if the ban is enforced more strictly.
In addition to the direct impact on Gaza, Israel’s Supreme Court recently rejected a petition from Palestinian human rights group Adalah to challenge the ban, ruling that it only applies to Israeli-annexed territories, including East Jerusalem. This has created a complex legal situation, with the ban not only affecting Gaza but also complicating operations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where UNRWA’s field headquarters are located.
This latest development has sparked international outrage, with nations like Turkiye condemning the Israeli move as a violation of international law and a significant escalation of Israel’s policies aimed at displacing Palestinians from their land. Critics argue that the ban exacerbates the already dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza and undermines international efforts to alleviate the suffering of millions of refugees in the region.
With tensions continuing to rise, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, hoping that diplomacy can prevent further escalation and ensure that aid continues to reach those who need it most.
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