'Israel's' ban on UNRWA takes effect amid fears of catastrophic effect
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Under the ban, UNRWA will no longer be permitted to operate on occupied Palestinian soil, and all contact between the agency and Israeli officials will be prohibited.
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The United Nations flag flutters atop the United Nations Relief and Works Agency - UNRWA's West Bank Field Office in occupied al-Quds on January 29, 2025. (AFP)
The Israeli occupation regime will officially cut ties with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) on Thursday, a move expected to heavily impact the delivery of critical services after 15 months of the war on Gaza.
Under the ban, UNRWA will no longer be permitted to operate on occupied Palestinian soil, and all contact between the agency and Israeli officials will be prohibited.
UNRWA, which has provided support to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East for more than 70 years, has long been at odds with Israeli officials, who have repeatedly accused it of undermining "Israel’s" security.
Tensions escalated following the Palestinian Resistance's Operation Al Aqsa Flood on October 7, 2023, with "Israel" claiming that UNRWA employees were involved in the attack.
"Humanitarian aid doesn't equal UNRWA, and UNRWA doesn't equal humanitarian aid. UNRWA equals an organization infested with Hamas terror activity," Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein wrote on social media platform X ahead of the ban.
"This is why, beginning on January 30 and in accordance with Israeli law, Israel will have no contact with UNRWA."
The agency’s offices and staff in "Israel" play a crucial role in providing healthcare and education to Palestinians.
Israeli government spokesperson David Mencer claimed on Wednesday that "UNRWA is riddled with Hamas operatives," accusing states who fund UNRWA of funding "terrorists".
Mencer alleged that "UNRWA employs over 1,200 Hamas members," including ones who took part in Operation Al Aqsa Flood.
Later on Wednesday, "Israel’s" Supreme Court rejected a petition by the Palestinian human rights group Adalah challenging the UNRWA ban.
The court noted that the legislation "prohibits UNRWA activity only" on 1948-occupied Palestinian territories and does not apply to the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
However, the ban extends to the eastern part of Israeli-occupied al-Quds, where UNRWA’s field headquarters oversee its operations in the West Bank.
In response to the ruling, Adalah warned that the decision would be implemented "disregarding the catastrophic humanitarian consequences."
The move has been backed by "Israel’s" close ally, the United States, but has drawn condemnation from aid organizations and several US allies.
UNRWA says it has facilitated 60% of the food aid reaching Gaza since the Israeli war on the Palestinian enclave began.
"Israel’s" envoy to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that UNRWA must "cease operations and evacuate all premises" in the eastern part of al-Quds by Thursday.
But UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly opposed the decision, calling on "Israel" to reverse the ban.
"I regret this decision and request that the government of Israel retract it," Guterres said, emphasizing that UNRWA’s role is "irreplaceable".
The agency’s commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, warned that UNRWA’s ability to distribute aid "far exceeds that of any other entity" and accused "Israel" of conducting a "relentless assault... harming the lives and future of Palestinians across the occupied Palestinian territory."
"Israel" claims that a dozen UNRWA employees were involved in the October 7 attack and insists that other humanitarian organizations can take over essential services, aid distribution, and reconstruction—an assertion disputed by the UN and several donor governments.
A series of investigations, including one led by former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, identified "neutrality-related issues" within UNRWA but stated that "Israel" had not provided evidence to substantiate its primary allegations.
Under US President Donald Trump, who returned to office earlier this month, Washington has backed "Israel’s" position, accusing UNRWA of overstating the consequences of its expulsion.
Read more: UNRWA ban risks deepening crisis in occupied Palestinian territories
