The implementation of new Israeli legislation poses a significant threat to the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip and beyond. This legislation, which takes effect on Thursday, prohibits UNRWA from conducting any activities within Israel, effectively severing its supply lines to Gaza, a territory heavily reliant on the agency’s humanitarian aid following a devastating 15-month war. This action intensifies a decades-long strained relationship between Israel and UNRWA, rooted in differing perspectives on the Palestinian refugee issue and allegations of Hamas influence within the agency.
The core of the conflict lies in UNRWA’s mandate to provide aid to Palestinian refugees and their descendants, a population whose status Israel contests. Israel argues that UNRWA perpetuates the refugee problem and accuses the agency of harboring Hamas members within its ranks, citing instances of alleged involvement in attacks against Israel. While UNRWA has dismissed some accusations due to lack of evidence and has terminated some employees based on investigations, Israel maintains its stance, advocating for other aid organizations to assume UNRWA’s responsibilities. This position, however, is met with resistance from international aid organizations, who argue that replacing UNRWA, the largest humanitarian organization in Gaza, would cripple aid efforts and potentially destabilize the fragile ceasefire.
The newly enacted Israeli laws not only ban UNRWA’s activities within Israel, including East Jerusalem, but also prohibit any contact between Israeli officials and UNRWA representatives. This creates a complex logistical challenge for the agency, particularly concerning the delivery of essential supplies to Gaza and the rotation of foreign staff. While UNRWA currently has a short-term supply buffer, the long-term implications are dire. The legislation effectively blocks UNRWA’s ability to replenish its aid stockpiles and maintain its workforce in Gaza, potentially leading to a severe humanitarian crisis in the coming weeks.
The repercussions of this ban extend beyond Gaza. Within Israel, UNRWA faces the immediate closure of its headquarters in East Jerusalem, including schools and health clinics serving the Palestinian population. While Israeli authorities claim they are prepared to absorb the affected students and patients into their own systems, the transition poses logistical challenges and raises concerns about access and quality of services. The forced closure also represents a symbolic blow to the agency and the Palestinian community it serves.
In the West Bank, while UNRWA facilities will not be directly shut down, the ban significantly hampers the agency’s operations. The restriction on foreign staff entering Israel, which controls the West Bank’s borders, will effectively prevent the agency from maintaining its international workforce in the territory. This hinders UNRWA’s ability to oversee and manage its programs, further jeopardizing the delivery of critical aid and services to Palestinian refugees in the West Bank.
The Israeli government, supported by the United States, has been advocating for a restructuring of the humanitarian aid system in the region, proposing that UNRWA operate under the umbrella of other UN agencies like UNICEF and that other aid groups assume a greater share of responsibility. This approach, however, is met with strong opposition from the United Nations, which fears setting a dangerous precedent of dismantling a dedicated refugee agency based on political considerations. Furthermore, UNRWA argues that its unique expertise, established logistical network, and deep-rooted trust within the Palestinian community are irreplaceable. The agency emphasizes its essential role in upholding the ceasefire agreement by facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, a task it believes other organizations are not equipped to handle. The new legislation thus sets the stage for a complex and potentially destabilizing standoff between Israel and the international community, with the well-being of Palestinian refugees hanging in the balance.
