Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations

Israeli threat to ban UNRWA looms over Gaza: NYT

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: New York Times
  • 2 Jan 2025 18:08
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

A UN official questioned what the end goal of the Israeli occupation is if they completely remove the ability of UNRWA to save lives of Palestinians.

Listen
  • x
  • Israeli Threat to ban UNRWA looms over Gaza: NYT
    UNRWA workers talk together in the playground of an UNRWA-run school that has been converted into a shelter for displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on October 25, 2023. (AFP)

According to The New York Times, if the Israeli government bans the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), it would cut off a vital source of aid for Palestinians in Gaza, providing food, water, and medicine to those affected by the ongoing war. This ban would worsen the already dire situation in Gaza, where experts are warning of impending famine. As a result, UN officials are preparing to shut down operations in both Gaza and the West Bank.

Jamie McGoldrick, who led the UN humanitarian efforts in Gaza and the West Bank until April, stated that such a move would severely impact the "already catastrophic situation." He questioned the Israeli government's intentions, asking, "If that is what the Israeli intention is — to remove any ability for us to save lives — you have to question what is the thinking and what is the end goal?"

Last month, the head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, called for urgent international action to prevent the collapse of essential services for millions of Palestinian refugees, warning the agency faces the possibility of abandoning a "decades-long investment in human development and human rights" if it is dismantled.

He also cautioned that if Israeli legislation prevails, the humanitarian response in Gaza will crumble and deprive millions of Palestinian refugees of basic amenities in the West Bank, including the eastern part of al-Quds. It would also silence a voice testimony to the myriad traumas and injustices Palestinians have faced for decades, according to the agency's chief.

The future of UNRWA activities in Gaza and the West Bank is questionable as a result of new Israeli legislation. While the regulations do not specifically address UNRWA's work in these locations, Israeli officials have been ambiguous about their enforcement intentions.

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel urged that Palestinian officials administer UNRWA in the West Bank and accused the organization of sheltering Palestinian Resistance fighters in Gaza, a claim repeated by "Israel" and for which it has not shown evidence. UN officials are planning to suspend operations because the rules would impede Israeli collaboration, which is required for UNRWA to provide help in these regions.

Related News

Rubio says UNRWA to play no role in Gaza aid deliveries

ICJ rules 'Israel' failed to prove UNRWA staff are Hamas members

Louise Wateridge, a senior UNRWA official on the ground in Gaza warned that if such information cannot be shared with the Israelis, “then we have staff lives in danger,” explaining how more than 250 UNRWA staff had already been killed.

UNRWA warns of dire winter conditions as Gazans freeze to death

UNRWA reported earlier this week that more than 500 Palestinian families, currently living on Gaza's coast are grappling with tough winter conditions.

The relief organization has consistently warned of the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, due to food insecurity and the severe shortage of humanitarian aid, stressing that its teams are working to deliver aid to those in need, but emphasized that it is "nowhere near enough."

#شاهد | ظروف قاسية جداً يعيشها أهل #غزة في ظل الحرب ومأساة النزوح والخيام تحت المطر والبرد الشديد.#الميادين pic.twitter.com/cKDXqp8IS9

— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) December 30, 2024

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza, Mahmoud Basal, detailed the suffering of Palestinians in the Strip, noting that a large number of Palestinians have crowded into displacement camps amid extremely cold weather.

Basal, speaking to Al Mayadeen, mentioned that Palestinians dying in the bombardment and of hunger, now face the risk of freezing to death, remarking that seven children and infants have so far died from cold. 

The Civil Defense in Gaza reported on Tuesday that it had received hundreds of distress calls from forcibly displaced residents whose tents and shelters have been flooded by heavy rainfall, with many pleading for urgent help to rescue their children.

  • war on Gaza
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation
  • UNRWA
  • Hamas
  • Palestinian resistance
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Saudi's PIF refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism
Economy

Saudi Arabia's fund refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike.
Politics

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike

Israel fortifies Gaza’s "yellow line," prepares to dig in.
Politics

'Israel' fortifies Gaza’s 'yellow line,' prepares to dig in: WSJ

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as he travels from Tokyo, Japan, to South Korea, on October 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Asia

Trump’s weak dollar strategy risks global fallout: Forbes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS