In a significant policy shift, Israel has officially ended its agreement with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), according to a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry on Monday.
The ministry announced that UNRWA's role will be supplanted by other international organizations, emphasizing that \"preparations will be made to end the connection with UNRWA and to bolster alternatives to UNRWA.\" This move follows the recent passage of new legislation in the Knesset, Israel's parliament, which prohibits UNRWA's operations within the country and bars Israeli authorities from collaborating with the agency.
UNRWA has been instrumental in operating schools in the occupied West Bank and the war-torn Gaza Strip, providing emergency aid during humanitarian crises, and offering essential services such as healthcare and food assistance to Palestinian refugees.
The Israeli ministry further stated, \"In accordance with the terms of the law, the legislation on UNRWA will enter into force in three months,\" marking a definitive end to the collaboration.
This decision has sparked widespread criticism from the United Nations and the international community, coming at a time when Gaza is grappling with what the UN describes as a \"catastrophic\" humanitarian crisis amid ongoing Israeli operations.
Israel has accused certain UNRWA staff members of involvement in a Hamas-led attack on Israeli communities in October, a claim that has intensified tensions between the two parties.
Established in 1948 following the conflict that led to the creation of Israel and the displacement of numerous Palestinians, UNRWA has played a pivotal role in supporting Palestinian refugees for decades. The termination of this agreement marks a significant development in the region's complex humanitarian and political landscape.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
