Israel shuts down UNRWA operations, claims ties to Hamas

Israel’s Knesset (parliament) has officially approved a law that bans the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) within Israeli territories.

This decision follows allegations linking UNRWA personnel to the October 7, 2023, attacks carried out by Hamas militants against Israel, Caliber.Az reports.

In early October, the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Security Committee endorsed the draft law that prohibits UNRWA’s operations, following accusations that some of its employees had direct involvement in acts of violence against Israeli citizens. Israel has frequently expressed concern over UNRWA staff allegedly participating in activities related to Hamas, the Palestinian movement classified as a terrorist organization by Israel. According to the Israeli side, several UNRWA employees are simultaneously affiliated with Hamas's military wing, posing potential security risks.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke out following the decision, asserting that “UNRWA employees involved in terrorist activities against Israel must be held accountable.”

Posting on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Netanyahu stated that while the ban on UNRWA operations was necessary, Israel remains committed to ensuring that humanitarian aid will continue to flow to Gaza in a manner that does not compromise Israel’s security. “Since preventing a humanitarian crisis is important, humanitarian aid must remain accessible in Gaza now and in the future,” he emphasized.

Netanyahu also expressed a willingness to work with international partners to maintain aid channels during the transition. “Within 90 days before this law [banning UNRWA] comes into force and thereafter, we are ready to coordinate with our international allies to ensure that Israel will continue facilitating humanitarian aid to the civilian population in Gaza in a way that does not threaten Israel's security,” he added.

The United States government has openly criticized Israel's decision to enact this law, with calls for the Israeli authorities to reconsider. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed “deep concern” over the legislation, urging the Israeli government to halt its implementation. “We continue to urge the government of Israel to pause the enactment of this legislation. We urge them not to move forward with it at all. We will consider further actions based on developments in the coming days,” Miller stated during a recent briefing.

Miller also confirmed that the issue had previously been addressed in a letter sent by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to the Israeli leadership, underscoring the serious nature of Washington's concerns.

The Israeli law has also drawn international backlash. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), warned of potentially catastrophic consequences, emphasizing that the ban could severely impact millions of Palestinians who rely on UNRWA’s services. He described UNRWA as a “lifeline” for Palestinian people over the past seven decades. In a statement on X, Ghebreyesus wrote, “The Israeli parliament's decision to ban UNRWA from activities that protect the lives and health of millions of Palestinians will have devastating consequences. This is unacceptable.” He added that the legislation contradicts Israel’s humanitarian obligations and poses severe risks to the lives and health of the populations served by UNRWA.

The “Abraham Accords” of 2020 and recent normalization efforts were not directly affected by the legislation. However, multiple international stakeholders have voiced concerns about the humanitarian impact of Israel’s decision, fearing it could worsen the region’s existing challenges. 

In the latest update, Israeli soldiers have reportedly set fire to a school building affiliated with the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees located in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza. 

According to Palestinian media, the Al-Fakhura school was targeted during the incident. Additionally, it was noted that the Israeli military is conducting strikes on residential homes in the surrounding area.

By Tamilla Hasanova