Israel Intensifies Campaign to Eradicate UNRWA in Gaza
In the aftermath of the devastating conflict with Hamas, Israel has shifted its focus to another perceived enemy: the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). While unable to completely eliminate Hamas from Gaza, Israel is aggressively pursuing a long-held objective of dismantling the UN agency’s operations within the war-torn enclave. New Israeli laws, which took effect on Thursday, severely restrict UNRWA’s ability to function by prohibiting its work in areas under Israeli sovereignty and banning any contact with the agency. This move has alarmed UN officials and humanitarian workers, who fear the devastating consequences for the already vulnerable Palestinian population.
Israel’s animosity towards UNRWA is not new. For decades, the Israeli government has viewed the agency as an existential threat, primarily due to its recognition of Palestinian refugees and support for their right of return. The construction of an UNRWA complex in Jerusalem two decades ago marked a turning point, intensifying Israeli efforts to restrict the agency’s activities. Following the October 7 Hamas attacks, Israel accelerated its campaign against UNRWA, culminating in the recent restrictive legislation.
The October 7 attacks and Israel’s subsequent response resulted in immense devastation in Gaza. Over 47,487 people, predominantly women and children, were killed. UNRWA facilities, including schools and health clinics, became targets, with at least 272 UNRWA employees killed and 205 sites damaged. Israel claims that Hamas utilizes UNRWA facilities as bases, while UNRWA maintains that its installations were used as shelters by displaced Palestinians. The Israeli strikes on these shelters caused significant casualties, further fueling tensions.
The destruction of UNRWA facilities is compounded by what the agency describes as a "fierce disinformation campaign." Israel accused UNRWA employees of participating in the October 7 attacks, leading to an internal investigation and the dismissal of nine employees. The most recent controversy centers around allegations that a freed Israeli hostage was held in an UNRWA facility. UNRWA vehemently denies these claims, emphasizing its lack of control over facilities in northern Gaza, which were evacuated during the conflict. Israel’s use of former UNRWA schools as military bases further underscores the agency’s compromised position.
The allegations against UNRWA have placed the agency under immense pressure, particularly as it grapples with dwindling international support. The United States cut aid to UNRWA in 2024, posing a significant financial challenge. Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, have expressed strong support for UNRWA, recognizing its "pivotal, indispensable, and irreplaceable role" in providing aid to Palestinian refugees. These countries have rejected any attempts to undermine or limit UNRWA’s operations.
UNRWA has warned that Israel’s new laws jeopardizes the fragile ceasefire in Gaza and hinders aid delivery at a critical time. Despite the challenges, UNRWA continues its vital work, providing food and essential supplies to hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza during the ceasefire’s initial days. The agency emphasizes the importance of unimpeded access to carry out its humanitarian mission and prevent further suffering in the already devastated region. The future of UNRWA and the welfare of the Palestinian population it serves hang precariously in the balance. The international community faces the crucial task of ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches those in desperate need, while navigating the complex political landscape of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.