Israel’s Ban on U.N. Aid Agency for Palestinians Now in Effect Amid Gaza Crisis
The move to bar UNRWA operations comes as Gaza’s population faces the aftermath of the ongoing conflict, raising concerns among international aid groups.
JERUSALEM — Israel’s decision to ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) from operating in Palestinian territories took effect on Thursday, threatening vital humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza, the West Bank, and east Jerusalem.
The move comes at a critical moment for the estimated 2 million Palestinians affected by the 15-month Gaza conflict. With widespread destruction across the region, the international community has expressed alarm at the timing of the ban, which many fear could further destabilize the already fragile situation.
The Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, views the ban as a potential trigger for increased tensions between Palestinians and Israelis in the occupied territories, particularly as a fragile ceasefire holds in Gaza.
Israel, which has controlled the West Bank since the 1967 Six-Day War, argues that Hamas has infiltrated UNRWA’s operations. Israeli officials claim that removing the agency will help depoliticize humanitarian assistance, improve delivery, and prevent aid from falling into the hands of militants. However, critics contend that this move will only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the region.
UNRWA Director-General Philippe Lazzarini has warned of “disastrous” consequences, emphasizing that the agency plays a crucial role in providing health, education, and food assistance to Palestinians. Lazzarini’s concerns come just weeks after a ceasefire deal allowed for a significant increase in aid deliveries to Gaza, with 4,200 trucks expected to enter the enclave weekly.
Despite claims from Israeli officials that UNRWA overstates its role in providing aid, the agency is seen as the primary humanitarian provider for Palestinians. Founded in 1949, UNRWA supports 5.9 million Palestinian refugees and their descendants, providing essential services such as education, healthcare, and housing assistance. The organization operates in multiple countries, including Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and the occupied Palestinian territories.
Israel’s parliament voted in October to end the agreement allowing UNRWA to operate in Gaza, the West Bank, and east Jerusalem. While services will continue in Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, the move effectively removes Israeli coordination with UNRWA and revokes the visas of its international staff, forcing many to leave the region. The ban’s impact will be felt most immediately in east Jerusalem, where UNRWA has been ordered to vacate its offices, and in the West Bank, where operations will likely be phased out gradually.
The situation in Gaza is particularly dire, with over 90% of the population displaced and widespread destruction following Israel’s military offensive. UNRWA, which has 13,000 staff members and operates 300 facilities in Gaza, has provided essential food, shelter, and medical services to millions of people. However, with the Israeli military controlling Gaza’s borders and the agency’s operations now unrecognized, the logistics of continuing aid efforts are uncertain.
In response, Israeli officials argue that other aid organizations will step in to fill the gap left by UNRWA, pointing to the presence of multiple U.N. agencies and non-profits operating in Gaza. They contend that the weekly aid convoys will continue without interruption, despite UNRWA’s exclusion.
U.S. officials, including those from the Biden administration, have also backed Israel’s position. The U.S. cut funding to UNRWA in 2024, and U.S. envoy Dorothy Shea called the agency’s warnings about aid disruptions “irresponsible and dangerous.”
With tensions rising and the humanitarian crisis deepening, the future of aid to Gaza remains uncertain. Critics warn that the absence of UNRWA in the region could exacerbate the suffering of millions of Palestinians who depend on the agency for survival.