UN agencies voice strong opposition to Israel's ban on UNRWA operations

United Nations (UN) agencies and related organizations voiced strong opposition on Tuesday to Israel's ban on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), reported Xinhua.

The Knesset, the Israeli parliament, passed two laws on Monday. One barred the UNRWA from activity in Israel. The law stipulates that UNRWA could not "operate any institution, provide any service, or conduct any activity, whether directly or indirectly" within Israeli territory. Another banned Israeli authorities from any contact with UNRWA.

At a press conference held by the UN office in Geneva, Amy Pope, director general of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), said that for decades, UNRWA has provided essential services such as education and healthcare to residents in Gaza, playing a crucial role in their daily lives.

Pope emphasized that IOM's focus is on providing humanitarian aid to displaced persons, including shelter, hygiene supplies, and necessary protection support, which significantly differs from UNRWA's functions. "UNRWA is absolutely essential."

Wider healthcare services across Gaza face serious risks, according to Tarik Jasarevic, spokesperson for the World Health Organization. Jasarevic said that of the 13,000 UNRWA staff in Gaza, approximately 3,000 are healthcare workers.

James Elder, spokesperson for the UN Children's Fund, said that if UNRWA is unable to operate, it is likely that the humanitarian system in Gaza will collapse, adding that "a decision such as this suddenly means that a new way has been found to kill children."

Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said that the Israeli decision "is wrong for a number of reasons," but first and foremost for the millions of Palestinians.

Laerke warned that if this decision is "implemented, this would add to the acts of collective punishment that we have seen imposed on Gaza."

Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed ongoing concerns about Israel's compliance with international law.

Laurence pointed out Israel's obligations under a series of human rights treaties, emphasizing that without UNRWA, the provision of food, shelter, healthcare, and education services to the majority of Gaza's population "would grind to a halt."