Israel has formally notified the United Nations of its decision to terminate its agreement with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), according to a statement released by the Israeli Foreign Ministry on Monday.
The ministry announced that UNRWA will be replaced by other international organizations, stating that “preparations will be made to end the connection with UNRWA and to bolster alternatives to UNRWA.”
UNRWA operates schools, provides healthcare, food assistance, and other social services to Palestinian refugees in the occupied West Bank and the war-torn Gaza Strip. The agency also offers emergency aid during humanitarian crises.
The move comes after the Israeli Knesset passed new legislation last week banning UNRWA’s operations within Israel and prohibiting Israeli authorities from cooperating with the agency. “In accordance with the terms of the law, the legislation on UNRWA will enter into force in three months,” the ministry stated.
The decision has drawn widespread criticism from the United Nations and the international community, especially as Gaza faces what the UN describes as a “catastrophic” humanitarian crisis amid the ongoing Israeli assault.
Israel has alleged that some UNRWA staff members were involved in a Hamas-led attack on Israeli communities in October.
UNRWA was established in 1948 following the war that led to the founding of Israel and the displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians. The agency has since played a crucial role in supporting Palestinian refugees across the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
