Israel prohibits UN agencies from operating on its territory

The Israeli Parliament on Monday, October 28, passed a law banning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Middle East (UNRWA) from operating in Israel. Reuters writes about it.

The law could affect the agency’s operations in war-torn Gaza. The authors of the law refer to information about the possible involvement of some UNRWA employees in the attack on October 7, 2023 in southern Israel and their connections with Hamas and other armed groups.

The law has raised alarm at the United Nations and Israel’s Western allies, who fear a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel has been fighting Hamas militants for a year. The ban does not apply to UNRWA activities in the Palestinian territories or other countries.

“UNRWA workers involved in terrorist acts against Israel must be held accountable. But to avoid a humanitarian crisis, essential humanitarian aid must remain available in Gaza now and in the future,” wrote Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on social media after the vote.

“During the 90 days before this law takes effect and afterward, we stand ready to work with international partners to ensure that humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza can be extended without jeopardizing Israel’s security,” he added. Netanyahu.

Parliament also passed an addition to the new law stating that Israeli authorities can no longer communicate with UNRWA, although exceptions may be made in the future.

Let’s remember that in August the UN admitted that its employees were involved in the attack on Israel in October last year.