Israel Enforces UNRWA Ban Despite Strong Opposition
Israel’s ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has officially taken effect, significantly disrupting the agency’s humanitarian operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Israel has repeatedly accused UNRWA employees of involvement in the October 7 attack, though no concrete evidence has been provided to support these claims. The law, passed in October 2024, now prohibits the agency from operating on Israeli-controlled land, including occupied East Jerusalem, and forbids any interaction between UNRWA and Israeli authorities.
For over seven decades, UNRWA has been a key provider of aid and services to Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. However, it has frequently found itself at odds with Israeli officials regarding its mission and operations.
Legal Challenges and Alternative Aid Efforts
Ahead of the ban’s implementation, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein stated that “humanitarian aid doesn’t equal UNRWA”, suggesting that other organizations could step in to deliver aid to Gaza.
Attempts to overturn the ban were unsuccessful. On Wednesday, Israel’s Supreme Court rejected a petition by human rights group Adalah to challenge the decision. However, the ruling clarified that while the ban applies within Israel’s sovereign territory, it does not prevent UNRWA from operating in the West Bank or Gaza Strip.
Despite this, UNRWA officials fear severe consequences. Juliette Touma, a spokesperson for UNRWA, warned that if the ban hampers their ability to function in Gaza, it could disrupt the ceasefire, which also relies on the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Claims of Misinformation
On Tuesday, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini addressed the United Nations Security Council, emphasizing the agency’s critical role in Gaza.
“Since October 2023, UNRWA has delivered two-thirds of all food assistance, provided shelter to over a million displaced persons, and conducted approximately 17,000 medical consultations per day,” Lazzarini stated.
He also spoke out against what he described as a “fierce disinformation campaign” designed to falsely depict UNRWA as a terrorist-linked organization.
In April 2024, former French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna led a UN investigation into Israel’s allegations that UNRWA employed Hamas members. The inquiry found certain neutrality-related concerns but noted that Israel had not provided evidence to substantiate its claims.
A Lifeline for Palestinian Refugees
UNRWA was established in 1949 to support Palestinians displaced following Israel’s creation a year earlier. The organization employs 30,000 staff, primarily Palestinian refugees, with a smaller number of international personnel. It delivers food aid, education, healthcare, and social services to approximately 5.9 million Palestinians across the region.
For many, UNRWA represents more than just aid—it is a symbol of survival.
Abu Nael Hamouda, a 74-year-old Palestinian from Khan Younis, described the agency as an essential pillar of life for refugees.
“UNRWA has supported generations—providing education, healthcare, and food through both peace and war,” he said.
Hamouda, originally from Majdal, was forced to leave as a child when the town became part of Ashkelon, Israel.
“Without UNRWA, we would suffocate. My children and grandchildren attended UNRWA schools, we received treatment in UNRWA hospitals, and they helped us rebuild our homes.”
As the ban takes effect, concerns grow over the future of humanitarian aid in Gaza and the West Bank, with many questioning whether alternative organizations can truly replace the scale and impact of UNRWA’s work.
