The situation in Gaza is dire, as residents grapple with an ongoing humanitarian crisis that is poised to worsen due to Israel’s recent prohibition on the largest UN agency operating in the region. Yasmine el-Ashry from Khan Younis expressed her desperation, stating, “Unrwa is everything to us: it provides our food, water, and medical care. If it shuts down, we will run out of flour. Where can I take my sick son?” Registered refugee Saeed Awida echoed these sentiments: “Banning Unrwa represents another war against the Palestinian people. They aim to eliminate us and deny our access to humanitarian aid.”

Despite widespread international disapproval, Israeli lawmakers largely supported new legislation aimed at severing ties between Israeli officials and Unrwa, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. Critics accuse the agency of being aligned with Hamas. Sharren Haskel from the opposition National Unity Party, a co-sponsor of the bill, stated, “A terrorist organization has taken control of it. If the UN refuses to purge Hamas from its ranks, we must act to protect our citizens.”

Unrwa maintains its stance of neutrality, warning that if the new Israeli laws take effect in three months, it would severely hinder their operations in Gaza. Sam Rose, Unrwa’s deputy director in Gaza, explained that this legislation would obstruct their ability to bring in essential supplies and manage safe movements around conflict zones and checkpoints. The protective status of Unrwa facilities—where many displaced individuals seek refuge—would also be compromised.

Israeli media reports indicate that there have been warnings from diplomats about the potential fallout of these actions against Unrwa. Critics argue that Israel risks violating its obligations under international humanitarian law and the UN charter; however, domestic political concerns have taken precedence.

Established in 1949 following the first Arab-Israeli war, Unrwa was created to aid approximately 700,000 Palestinians who had fled their homes. Today, it supports around six million Palestinians across Gaza, the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria through various services including education and healthcare.

The agency has faced longstanding criticism from Israel over allegations that its educational materials incite animosity towards Israel. Tensions escalated significantly after Hamas’s attack on October 7 last year when it was revealed that a Hamas commander killed during an Israeli strike had been employed by Unrwa since 2022.

While some staff members were dismissed following investigations into their alleged involvement in attacks against Israel, Unrwa insists it takes prompt action against any credible allegations. The debate surrounding Unrwa’s role continues amid fears that actions against it threaten the status of Palestinian refugees—an issue central to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a poignant statement, Mohammed Salman from Deir al-Balah remarked on concerns over the future recognition of refugees: “They are trying to erase the word ‘refugee.’ Israel seeks this.”