Israel’s Knesset has approved a law prohibiting the United Nations' Palestinian refugee agency, Unrwa, from operating in Israel and East Jerusalem within a three-month timeframe. The new legislation not only restricts Unrwa’s presence but also bans contact between its employees and Israeli officials, significantly hindering the agency’s operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Cooperation with the Israeli military, which regulates access to Gaza, is vital for Unrwa to deliver humanitarian aid in this conflict-ridden area. As the primary UN body working on the ground, Unrwa’s effectiveness is now under serious threat.

Legal protections for Unrwa staff within Israeli jurisdiction will be revoked, and the agency’s headquarters in East Jerusalem will be shut down. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that enacting these laws would negatively impact efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and threaten regional peace. Philippe Lazzarini, head of Unrwa, expressed that this decision would exacerbate hardships for Palestinians.

Several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany, have voiced their concerns regarding this legislation. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy criticized the move as “totally wrong,” while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer noted it could undermine Unrwa’s vital work in Gaza and disrupt international humanitarian efforts. The US State Department emphasized Unrwa’s crucial role in providing aid to over two million residents of Gaza, who rely heavily on its services.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked that any Unrwa employees involved in terrorist acts against Israel should be held accountable but affirmed that humanitarian assistance must continue in Gaza. He stated that Israel is prepared to collaborate with international partners to ensure ongoing relief efforts do not compromise its security.

Israel has long opposed Unrwa, claiming its staff have collaborated with Hamas. Following an October 7 attack attributed to Hamas that resulted in significant casualties, Israel alleged that 19 Unrwa workers participated in these attacks. An investigation led to nine dismissals among those accused; however, broader allegations lacked evidence per UN findings.

Yuli Edelstein of the Knesset described Unrwa as a potential cover for terrorist activities during the legislation presentation. For decades, Unrwa has been instrumental in delivering healthcare and education services to millions of Palestinians. Since recent escalations in conflict began last year, its role has become increasingly critical for humanitarian support.

Unrwa Commissioner-General Lazzarini condemned the ban as unprecedented and inconsistent with international law, warning it would severely affect over 650,000 children’s education in Gaza alone. Approximately 2.5 million Palestinians are registered with Unrwa across various territories.

As military operations continue in northern Gaza against Hamas militants, conditions for many civilians remain dire. UN human rights chief Volker Türk highlighted that military actions are causing severe hardships for the population. Some Palestinians fear a forced displacement strategy aimed at removing civilians from northern areas as part of military objectives; however, Israeli forces deny such allegations and claim they are focused on civilian safety amid ongoing conflicts marked by substantial casualties on both sides since October 7.