Israel Considers Bills To Restrict UNRWA Operations In Occupied Territories

The Commissioner-General of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, Philippe Lazzarini, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the UNRWA headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, Wednesday,

Israel’s parliament is currently deliberating two bills that could have significant implications for the operations of UNRWA, the UN relief agency for Palestinians, in territories occupied by Israel. This development comes at a critical juncture as the UN has highlighted a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, describing it as a dire situation where the entire population of northern Gaza is at risk of perishing.

If these bills are approved by the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, the UN warns that crucial aid delivery, including food, shelter, and healthcare, would come to a standstill. This could have devastating consequences, particularly for the 600,000 children in Gaza who rely on UNRWA for education and other essential services.

The proposed legislation also threatens to terminate vital health, education, and social services in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to the UN’s assessment.

The Israeli government has alleged that some UNRWA personnel have ties to Hamas. Following an investigation by the UN Office of Oversight Services (OIOS), it was revealed that nine UNRWA staff members might have been involved in attacks on Israel in October 2023. However, the OIOS stated that it could not independently verify the information provided by Israel to support these claims. This led to several countries suspending funding for UNRWA, with most nations reinstating their support except for the US.

UN warns of dire consequences if aid delivery is halted, impacting 600,000 children in Gaza.

Israel's parliament is deliberating bills affecting UNRWA operations in occupied territories.

Proposed legislation could terminate vital services in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Expressing deep concerns over the potential ban, countries like Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, and South Korea jointly penned a letter emphasizing the critical role UNRWA plays in providing essential humanitarian aid and services to Palestinian refugees in various regions.

The US has also voiced apprehension regarding the impact of the proposed legislation, which could affect 2.5 million people in Israel and occupied territories. Despite this, UNRWA continues to support millions of Palestinian refugees in multiple locations across the Middle East.

Given the gravity of the situation, it is imperative to recognize the vital role UNRWA plays in addressing the urgent needs of Palestinian refugees and the potential ramifications of restricting its operations.