Oct 29, V7N- Israel's parliament approved a law on Monday to prohibit the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) from operating within the country, raising concerns among Western allies regarding the already critical humanitarian situation in Gaza. Israeli officials pointed to the involvement of some UNRWA staff in the October 7 attack on Israel and alleged connections to Hamas as reasons for the ban. 
 
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that UNRWA workers engaged in terrorist activities must be held accountable. In response, UNRWA's head, Philippe Lazzarini, stated that the law contradicts the U.N. charter and international law, describing it as part of an ongoing campaign to undermine the agency's role in providing assistance to Palestinian refugees.
 
The law was passed on a day when Israeli tanks advanced deeper into northern Gaza, reportedly trapping around 100,000 civilians, as Israeli military operations aimed to target regrouping Hamas militants. The Israeli military claimed to have captured about 100 suspected militants in a raid on a hospital in Jabalia, which was denied by Hamas and local medical staff.
 
According to the Gaza Strip's health ministry, at least 19 people died due to Israeli airstrikes on the same day. The Palestinian Civil Emergency Service reported that many people in Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoun were stranded without access to medical or food supplies due to ongoing Israeli assaults.
 
Amid these developments, ceasefire discussions facilitated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar resumed on Sunday after previous failures. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi suggested a two-day truce to facilitate the exchange of four Israeli hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners, with talks for a permanent ceasefire to follow.
 
The conflict has escalated tensions across the Middle East, including Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon targeting Iranian-backed Hezbollah, which resulted in casualties in various villages. Additionally, Israel's military has called for evacuations in southern Lebanon as attacks continue, leaving many areas devastated.
 
In Gaza, the humanitarian crisis is worsening, with hospitals in northern areas struggling to function amid shortages of medical supplies and essential resources. Residents expressed despair as their homes and communities are heavily impacted by the ongoing conflict, with many fearing for their safety and future. The toll from the retaliatory actions since the October 7 attack has reached over 43,000 in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
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