Israel's ban on UNRWA operations threatens to worsen humanitarian crisis in Gaza amid escalating conflict

In its recent threat to Palestinians' survival, Israel approved two controversial bills to put a halt on the operations of UNRWA— the United Nations agency providing aid to people in Gaza — which risks worsening the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.

Israel's parliament (Knesset) on Oct 28 passed the legislation stopping the main UN relief agency from operating on Israeli territory and other areas under its control.

One of the two bills bars UNRWA from activity within Israel, while the other bans Israeli authorities from any contact with UNRWA.

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) provides essential services for Palestinian refugees as per a nearly eight-decade-old treaty signed in 1967.

Criticizing Israel's move, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that it violated international law and was “the latest in the ongoing campaign to discredit UNRWA and delegitimize its role toward providing human-development assistance and services to Palestine refugees.”

Israel's Western allies including the United States, have expressed concerns about the controversial ban, that will impact the basic necessities such as education, food, healthcare and livelihoods of millions of Palestinians who depend on the agency.

Before Israel passed the vote, the US State Department had urged it not to go ahead with the legislation, saying the agency plays “an irreplaceable role right now in Gaza.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken previously warned Israel that passing the legislation could “have implications under US law and US policy.”

The lawmakers who drafted the law alleged that there were some UNRWA workers in the Near East who were involved in the Oct 7 attack on southern Israel last year.

They further alleged that the relief agency's staffers have membership in Hamas and other armed groups.

The law was passed on the day when Israeli tanks attacked deeper into two north Gaza towns and a refugee camp, trapping about 100,000 civilians, the Palestinian emergency service said.

The Israeli military said these operations were necessary to eliminate regrouping Hamas terrorists.

The IDF said they had captured around 100 suspected Hamas terrorists in a raid into Kamal Adwan Hospital in the Jabalia camp. However, Hamas and medics have denied any terror presence at the hospital.

The move to ban the UN relief agency poses a dire threat to Palestinians as it could have devastating consequences for millions living under Israeli occupation.

Meanwhile, the Gaza Strip's Health Ministry said at least 19 people were killed by Israeli airstrikes and bombardment on Oct 28.

The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service said around 100,000 people were stranded in Jabalia, Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanoun without medical or food supplies.

The emergency service said its operations had come to a halt because of the three-week Israeli assault into northern Gaza, where Israel had said it wiped out Hamas combat forces earlier in the year-long war.

In a related development, ceasefire talks led by the US, Egypt and Qatar resumed on Oct 27 after multiple unsuccessful attempts. Egypt's President has proposed an initial two-day truce to exchange four Israeli hostages held by Hamas for some Palestinian prisoners, followed by talks within 10 days on a permanent ceasefire.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that mediators would resume talks in the coming days “in a continued attempt to advance a deal.”

Israel, however, has maintained that the assault will continue until Hamas is eradicated, while the Palestinian fighter group has denied any end to the fighting unless Israeli forces leave Gaza.

Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages.

Following this, Israel pounded Gaza with air and ground offensive resulting in deaths of over 43,000 people, including women and children.