The heightened tensions between Israel and the Palestinian territories have place the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) under intense scrutiny. Recently, Israel has pursued legislation intended to dismantle the agency, which is recognized as the primary provider of humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees. The situation has gained significant attention as the humanitarian needs grow amid the backdrop of warfare.
On Wednesday, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, addressed the United Nations Security Council, sounding alarms about the potential impact of Israeli government actions on humanitarian operations. He emphasized the untenable consequences these laws could impose, stating, "All humanitarian operations may disintegrate," leaving vast numbers of people without necessary support during this turbulent time.
These proposed laws have already received preliminary approval from the Israeli parliament and would formally designate UNRWA as operating illegally within Israeli territory, effectively preventing any interaction between the Israeli government and the agency. If enacted, the measures would halt UNRWA's operations, which provide services to approximately 1.5 million Gazans and close to 2 million Palestinians overall.
Lazzarini argued before the Security Council, "Legally, the Knesset legislation violates Israel’s obligation under the United Nations Charter and international law." He stressed the historic significance of UNRWA, which was established by the General Assembly back in 1949 to aid around 700,000 Palestinian refugees displaced during the 1948 conflict. Today, it provides health care, education, and welfare to about six million individuals across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.
Reports indicate increasing allegations from Israeli officials claiming connections between UNRWA staff and Hamas, particularly surrounding the notorious October 7, 2023, attack which killed over 1,200 people. Following investigations, several UNRWA employees have been dismissed due to suspicions of involvement. Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, insisted, "This infiltration is so ingrained, so institutional, the organization is simply beyond repair."
While such claims have been made, the UN has not substantiated evidence tying the agency directly to the attacks. Nonetheless, these narratives fuel the Israeli government's motivations to aggressively pursue the dismantling of UNRWA.
Lazzarini delivered grave predictions on the possibility of operational breakdowns should these laws be enacted. He painted a dire picture, where the end of coordination with Israel would disrupt the provision of food, shelter, and medical assistance, particularly vulnerable as winter approaches. He stated, "More than 650,000 children would lose any hope of resuming their education—an entire generation would be sacrificed."
International reactions have not been isolated to the UN. Leaders around the world have expressed trepidation over Israel's approach. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield has echoed this sentiment, citing the proposed legislation as reflective of the significant distrust between Israel and UNRWA, stating, "These restrictions will only intensify the suffering of the people of Gaza."
With continued military operations causing devastation—over 42,000 Palestinians have reportedly died since the onset of the current conflict, as noted by the Gaza Health Ministry—officials from various humanitarian organizations are pleading for assistance. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has written directly to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, expressing concerns over the potential impact of these laws on humanitarian efforts.
During the past year, there has been widespread suffering and devastation across the Gaza Strip, where nearly all residents rely on some form of assistance or services from UNRWA. Lisa Doughten, director of the UN humanitarian office, described the scale of despair, claiming results of suffering on this level are rarely seen historically.
With every passing day, as Israel pushes closer to enacting its legislation against UNRWA, the global community watches with bated breath, contending with the timeless question: Will humanitarian assistance prevail over political conflict, or will the ramifications of this polarized legislative agenda deepen the humanitarian crisis for Palestinians? The situation remains tense and fluid, with consequences looming for both sides as calls for urgent intervention grow louder.”
