Jan 30 (V7N) - Israel is officially severing all ties with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) on Thursday, citing allegations that it has ties to Hamas. The move is expected to disrupt vital services in Gaza, where the agency plays a key role in providing food, healthcare, and education.

The decision bars UNRWA from operating on Israeli territory and bans any interaction between the agency and Israeli officials. The Israeli government has long been critical of UNRWA, accusing it of threatening national security. These tensions escalated after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, with Israel claiming that UNRWA employees were directly involved.

"UNRWA equals an organization infested with Hamas terror activity," Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein said on social media platform X, adding that the government will officially cut all ties starting January 30.

A Major Blow to Humanitarian Aid

UNRWA has been a lifeline for Palestinian refugees for over 70 years, operating across the Middle East. In Gaza, it is responsible for delivering 60% of all humanitarian aid since the war began. The agency’s staff and offices in Israel are crucial for coordinating relief efforts, particularly as the humanitarian crisis worsens.

Government spokesman David Mencer doubled down on Israel’s accusations, alleging that "UNRWA employs over 1,200 Hamas members, including terrorists who carried out the October 7 massacre." He argued that funding UNRWA amounts to supporting terrorism.

Despite these claims, an independent investigation led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna found "neutrality-related issues" within UNRWA but said Israel had not provided evidence to support its accusations.

Legal and International Fallout

Israel’s Supreme Court dismissed a challenge from Palestinian human rights group Adalah, upholding the ban. While the court noted that UNRWA can still operate in Gaza and the West Bank, its offices in Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem will be forced to shut down.

The decision has sparked international backlash. UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged Israel to reverse course, calling UNRWA "irreplaceable" and warning of dire consequences for Palestinians. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini condemned Israel’s "relentless assault" on the agency, saying it will harm "the lives and future of Palestinians."

Meanwhile, Israel’s closest ally, the United States, has supported the move. With President Donald Trump back in office, Washington has echoed Israel’s claims, accusing UNRWA of exaggerating the potential humanitarian fallout.

As UNRWA prepares for its forced departure from Israeli-controlled areas, concerns are growing over who—if anyone—will fill the void left behind.

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