Israeli legislation that takes effect on Thursday threatens the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which provides essential humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip following over a year of conflict that has devastated the region.
The new laws prohibit UNRWA from conducting any activities within Israel, effectively hindering its ability to deliver aid to Gaza. The agency serves millions of Palestinians not only in Gaza but also in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and surrounding countries, providing shelter, food, and water.
Israel accuses UNRWA of being influenced by Hamas, claiming it cannot function as a neutral humanitarian organization. Israeli officials assert that UNRWA employs members of Hamas, some of whom participated in attacks against Israel.
While Israel contends that other U.N. agencies can fill the gap left by UNRWA, aid officials warn that the removal of the largest humanitarian organization in Gaza will critically undermine ongoing aid efforts.
The Israeli military unit responsible for coordinating aid deliveries, COGAT, has stated it will adhere to Israeli law and implement the new legislation as effectively as possible.
The longstanding tension between Israel and UNRWA dates back decades, with the agency established in 1949 to support Palestinians displaced during conflicts surrounding the creation of Israel. The Palestinian representative to the U.N. recently remarked that Israel has sought to dismantle UNRWA as part of a strategy to revoke the refugee status of displaced Palestinians.
Israeli lawmakers passed two significant laws in October: one banning all UNRWA activities on Israeli soil, including East Jerusalem, and another prohibiting contact between Israeli officials and UNRWA personnel. The restrictions will take effect 90 days after the legislation's enactment.
UNRWA’s chief has warned that the ban will severely weaken international humanitarian efforts in Gaza and worsen already dire living conditions. Although the agency has several weeks' worth of supplies on hand, its ability to deliver aid may soon be compromised as foreign staff members require rotation and additional aid becomes difficult to secure.
In Israel, UNRWA officials will be unable to operate legally, and the agency has been ordered to close its headquarters in East Jerusalem. This closure will affect schools and health clinics that serve thousands of Palestinians.
While UNRWA facilities in the West Bank will remain open, logistical challenges will arise in delivering aid, and foreign employees may be barred from obtaining necessary visas due to Israeli border control.