A Palestinian receives an aid box from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in Deir Al Balah, central Gaza Strip, on November 4, 2024. — Reuters
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) warned on Monday that Israel's decision to halt its operations would result in the 'collapse' of humanitarian efforts in the war-torn Gaza Strip. 'If this law is enforced, it could lead to the collapse of the international humanitarian operation in the Gaza Strip — an operation where UNRWA plays a crucial role,' Jonathan Fowler, an UNRWA spokesperson, told AFP after Israel officially informed the United Nations of its decision to sever ties with the agency. The ban, which has drawn global criticism, including from key Israeli ally the United States, is set to take effect in late January, with the UN Security Council cautioning that it would have dire consequences for millions of Palestinians. Israel has accused a dozen UNRWA employees of involvement in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, the deadliest in Israeli history. UNRWA dismissed nine employees following the accusations. 'On the instruction of Foreign Minister Israel Katz, the ministry of foreign affairs informed the UN of the cancellation of the agreement between the State of Israel and UNRWA,' the foreign ministry stated. 'UNRWA, whose employees participated in the October 7 massacre and many of whom are Hamas operatives, is part of the problem in the Gaza Strip and not part of the solution,' Katz was quoted as saying. The October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign has claimed 43,341 lives in Gaza, the majority of whom were civilians, according to figures from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry, which the United Nations deems reliable. 'It could also lead to the collapse of essential services provided by UNRWA in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including education, healthcare, and sanitation,' Fowler added. However, Israel has dismissed concerns about Gaza, stating that only a portion of aid was delivered by UNRWA. 'The State of Israel is committed to international law and will continue to facilitate the entrance of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip in a manner that does not compromise the security of Israeli citizens,' Katz said. Residents of Nur Shams camp in the occupied West Bank expressed fear for the future after an Israeli raid last week damaged the UNRWA office there. The 13,000 inhabitants of the camp near the northern city of Tulkarem heavily rely on UNRWA. 'For us, it's UNRWA or nothing,' said Shafiq Ahmad Jad, who runs a phone shop in the camp. 'For the refugees...they see UNRWA as their mother,' said Hanadi Jabr Abu Taqa, an agency official in charge of the northern West Bank. 'So imagine if they lost their mother.' A series of investigations, including one led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna, found some 'neutrality related issues' at UNRWA but emphasized that Israel had not provided evidence for its main allegations. An internal probe found that nine employees 'may have been involved in the armed attacks of 7 October'. UNRWA was established in 1949 after the first Arab-Israeli conflict following Israel's creation in 1948. The agency, which began operations on May 1, 1950, was tasked with assisting some 750,000 Palestinians who had fled or been expelled from their homes during the war. Its mandate has been repeatedly extended due to the lack of a solution for Palestinian refugees. Since late September, Israel has expanded its war focus to Lebanon, intensifying its campaign against Hamas ally Hezbollah following nearly a year of cross-border fire. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the northern border with Lebanon, where he reiterated his war objectives. 'I want to be clear: with or without an agreement, the key to restoring peace and security in the north...is first and foremost to push Hezbollah back beyond the Litani River, secondly to target any attempt to rearm, and thirdly to respond firmly to any action taken against us,' Netanyahu told troops at the border, according to his office. The Litani River flows across southern Lebanon, and the area to its south has seen multiple wars with Israel. Israel launched a massive aerial campaign primarily targeting Hezbollah strongholds across Lebanon and sent in ground troops on September 30. The war in Lebanon has killed more than 1,940 people in Lebanon since September 23, according to an AFP tally of Lebanese health ministry figures, though the real toll is likely higher. On Monday, the Israeli military said it had killed a top Hezbollah commander responsible for launching rocket and anti-missile attacks against Israeli forces in south Lebanon. Hezbollah, which like Hamas is backed by Iran, said it fired rockets at the northern Israeli city of Safed on Monday. Hezbollah has said it is acting in support of Hamas in Gaza, though many in both Lebanon and the Palestinian territory are calling for a ceasefire as the humanitarian situation deteriorates. Israeli jets carried out strikes on Monday targeting several areas of southern Lebanon, according to the official National News Agency. In Bazouriyeh, near the south Lebanese city of Tyre, the NNA said rescuers were searching for people missing under the rubble after a strike on Sunday.
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