The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has been banned by Israel, leaving thousands of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank without access to vital services. The agency, which relies almost fully on donations from the Israeli government for support, is responsible for providing food, education, and livelihoods to hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees.
The ban came into effect on Thursday, with UNRWA facing severe restrictions on its activities, including the eviction of staff and the closure of premises in occupied East Jerusalem. The agency’s chief warned that the ban will have a “disastrous” impact, while Israel claims that other agencies can replace its services.
UNRWA provides essential aid to over 912,000 Palestinians registered with it, including education, healthcare, and economic support. However, Israel disputes this claim, saying that UNRWA’s contribution is minimal. The ban raises concerns about the safety of thousands of UNRWA workers in Gaza, who have already suffered heavy casualties.
Critics argue that the ban will lead to a humanitarian crisis, as Palestinians rely heavily on UNRWA for support. “We rely on God, then on them (UNRWA),” said Hoda Hussein, who was displaced from her home with her family. The international community has condemned Israel’s actions, with the World Food Programme and UNICEF condemning the ban on their partner agency.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains unclear how Israel intends to proceed with the ban. However, its effects are already being felt, leaving thousands of Palestinians without access to vital services.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/30/middleeast/israel-unrwa-ban-comes-into-effect-gaza-west-bank-intl/index.html