Israel has instructed the United Nations to allow its aid agency, UNRWA, up to six days to halt operations in East Jerusalem as a result of new legislation. The letter, addressed to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, mandates that UNRWA must cease all activities and vacate its operational sites by 30 January 2025.
UNRWA has been a lifeline for two million Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza since 1949, providing food, shelter, medical care, and vocational training during the conflict. Despite accusations of Hamas infiltration—acknowledged by U.N. investigations to be minimal—the agency continues to assist millions across neighboring countries.
The move comes after months of tension over control issues in the region, with Mr. Guterres calling for a “provisional cease-fire” between Israel and Hamas. UNRWA’s head, Dr. Fares Lazzarini, emphasized that curbing its work could jeopardize aid efforts in Gaza, where nearly one million people rely on its assistance daily.
U.S. funding to UNRWA has been suspended by the Biden administration, while Republican presidential candidate Elise Stefanik criticized the agency as “antisemitic,” aligning with Israel’s claims of biblical rights over Palestinian territories. The international community remains divided on the future of aid in a volatile region.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/24/world/middleeast