UNRWA To Close Offices In Gaza And West Bank Following Israel's Ban

Gaza/UNRWA Refugees

JAKARTA - The UN Aid Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) said it plans to stop its aid activities due to the Israeli parliamentary law that limits their work, according to a report on Friday (3/1).

The Israeli Parliament (Knesset) in October approved two draft laws aimed at banning UNRWA activities in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

The law is expected to take effect this month. Israeli legislators argue that UNRWA aid operations are suspected of being a cover for Hamas activity, a claim the agency has repeatedly denied.

Reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Saturday, January 4, UN officials warned of the potential impact of Israel's actions, according to a report by The New York Times citing a UN official statement.

They emphasize that no other organization can replace UNRWA's comprehensive services, which include the provision of food, water, medicines, education, and housing for millions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Termination of UNRWA's humanitarian activities can worsen conditions that are already very concerning in the two regions.

"The impact will be enormous in a very strategic situation," said former UN humanitarian coordinator Jamie McGoldrick.

"If that is indeed Israel's goal, eliminating our ability to save lives, you must question what their final thoughts and goals are," he added.

Sami Abu Darweek, a 30-year-old Palestinian living in a UNRWA-run refugee camp in Gaza, expressed concern over the possible closure of the agency.

"The world has left us. We have nothing but assistance from UNRWA to survive," he said.

Threats to the vital role of UNRWA

Since the start of Israel's military operations in Gaza on October 7, 2023, Israeli authorities have stepped up a campaign against UNRWA.

Israel accused 14 of 12,000 agency employees in Gaza of being involved in the attack on October 7, calling UNRWA a platform for Hamas and calling for its shutdown.

UNRWA, founded in 1949, provides health, education, and social services for Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, Lebanon, Jordan, and Gaza.

The agency employs 30,000 workers, the majority of whom are Palestinians.

The law passed by Knesset on October 29 officially aims to end UNRWA operations in Israeli-occupied territory.

The move drew sharp criticism from various countries, with the US on October 30 urging Israel to reconsider the enactment of the law.

Military operations in Gaza have had devastating consequences for UNRWA staff.

Reports show 258 personnel have been killed in Israeli troop attacks since the invasion began. However, UNRWA continues to provide important assistance amid increasing challenges.

To date, it is unclear how Israel plans to enforce a UNRWA ban on operations or whether the agency will be able to continue its humanitarian work in Gaza and the West Bank.