UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees Warns of Humanitarian Crisis Amid Israeli Legislation
The leader of the U.N. agency responsible for Palestinian refugees cautioned that proposed Israeli legislation, if approved, could lead to the collapse of humanitarian operations in Gaza and the West Bank. Philippe Lazzarini, in a briefing to the U.N. Security Council, emphasized that this measure could leave hundreds of thousands in urgent need as the conflict continues.
Lazzarini highlighted the intentions of senior Israeli officials to dismantle UNRWA, the primary provider of humanitarian aid in Gaza, which has been engulfed in a prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas. This week, an Israeli parliamentary committee advanced bills aimed at prohibiting UNRWA from operating within Israeli territory and severing all government ties with the agency. The bills now require final approval from Israel’s Knesset.
During the briefing, Lazzarini pointed out that the proposed legislation would violate Israel’s obligations under international law. He noted that allegations against some UNRWA staff regarding their involvement in recent Hamas attacks have prompted internal investigations and resulted in the dismissal of multiple employees.
Israel’s U.N. Ambassador expressed concerns about the alleged infiltration of Hamas within UNRWA, arguing that this compromise undermines the agency’s integrity. He referenced the killing of Gaza’s teachers’ union leader, revealed to be a Hamas commander, as evidence of this infiltration.
Lazzarini urged the Security Council to protect UNRWA from arbitrary legislative actions that threaten its mandate in the absence of a comprehensive political solution. Established in 1949, UNRWA was intended to assist roughly 700,000 Palestinian refugees from the 1948 conflict, but has since expanded its services to approximately 6 million individuals across various regions.
The potential effects of the Israeli legislation could be catastrophic, according to Lazzarini, as it would disrupt the essential framework for delivering crucial services in Gaza. As winter approaches, he warned that the halt in coordination with Israel might endanger the provision of food, health care, and shelter, jeopardizing the education of over 650,000 children and risking the future of an entire generation.
Lazzarini disclosed that the delivery of education and emergency aid in the West Bank would also face severe interruptions. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has conveyed his serious concerns about the legislation directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Reports indicate that over 42,000 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israel’s military offensive, with women and children comprising a significant portion of the casualties. Many individuals in Gaza rely on aid and services provided by UNRWA, which underscores the agency’s critical role in the region’s humanitarian landscape.
The U.S. has echoed worries regarding recent Israeli actions that restrict goods’ delivery into Gaza, stating that these measures exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. The proposed legislation reflects ongoing tensions and mistrust between Israel and UNRWA, heightening the urgency for international attention on the matter.
