UNRWA warns of Israeli threats to West Bank operations
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UNRWA warns that proposed Israeli law amendments could cut water and electricity to its offices and lead to land seizures in Sheikh Jarrah and Qalandia.
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The office of the United Nations for helping Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, was partly demolished during the Israeli army operation in the West Bank refugee camp of Nur Shams, in Tulkarm, on October 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has raised alarm over proposed amendments to Israeli Knesset laws that could significantly weaken its humanitarian operations in the occupied West Bank.
According to the Palestinian News Agency WAFA, the warning comes two months after six UNRWA schools were forcibly closed in occupied al-Quds.
It stated that the Israeli Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure recently published amendments aimed at restricting the agency’s work in the occupied Palestinian territories. The proposals would prohibit service providers from supplying electricity and water to UNRWA facilities and allow for the seizure of land used by the agency in key areas.
The proposed legislation follows the decision, announced on July 15 by Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen, to cut off water and electricity supplies to UNRWA offices.
According to the Israeli website ICE, Cohen claimed that the decision was based on accusations that UNRWA was allegedly involved in the October 7 Al-Aqsa Flood operation, stating that the move aims to "halt the organization’s activities directed at Israel."
UNRWA further revealed that the targeted land includes the agency’s West Bank operations office in Sheikh Jarrah and the Qalandia Training Center near Qalandia camp. Both sites are critical to the agency’s mission of delivering education, health, and relief services to Palestinian refugees.
The developments come in the wake of the closure of six UNRWA-run schools in occupied al-Quds. This action has already disrupted access to education for hundreds of Palestinian children.
Cohen also referenced a previously passed Knesset law that designates UNRWA as a "terrorist organization," escalating the pressure on the agency’s presence in Palestine.
UNRWA has repeatedly rejected such designations and called on the international community to protect its staff, infrastructure, and mandate amid intensifying political and operational threats.
