Israel banned UNRWA, the U.N.’s Palestinian refugee relief agency, from operating in Israel after it was revealed that nine of its workers were involved in a Hamas attack. This move could have catastrophic consequences as UNRWA provides services to around 5.9 million Palestinian refugees. Two bills passed in Israel’s Knesset would bar UNRWA from Israeli territory, making it difficult for the organization to operate in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The U.N. warned that this ban could lead to the collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza, putting the refugee population at risk of famine and disease. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concerns about the devastating impact of this legislation on Palestinian refugees.
The ban on UNRWA could also hinder efforts to vaccinate Palestinian children against diseases like polio. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has already had severe consequences, with many casualties and damage to UNRWA’s operations. The U.N. confirmed that two Hamas commanders who were killed recently were on UNRWA’s payroll, raising further concerns about the agency’s involvement with terrorist activities. Despite these challenges, the U.S. and other governments around the world expressed deep concern about the impact of the ban on humanitarian aid in Gaza. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with a significant portion of the population at risk of famine and lacking essential medical supplies.
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