On Monday, Israeli lawmakers passed two laws that could jeopardize the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the primary U.N. agency responsible for providing aid to Palestinians in Gaza. The new legislation bars UNRWA from operating on Israeli soil and severs Israel’s diplomatic ties with the agency, adding a significant strain to an already fragile relationship between Israel and the U.N.
The new laws, which have not yet taken effect, come amidst mounting international concern over the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Many of Israel’s allies, including the United States, have expressed alarm over the potential consequences for Palestinians, as the humanitarian toll of the ongoing Gaza conflict continues to escalate. The passage of these laws marks a new low in the historically troubled relations between Israel and UNRWA.
Israel’s New Laws Against UNRWA
The first law passed by the Israeli parliament bans UNRWA from conducting “any activity” or providing services within Israeli territory, while the second law severs Israel’s diplomatic ties with the agency altogether. These measures pose a serious risk of disrupting the already delicate process of delivering aid to Gaza at a time when international pressure on Israel to increase humanitarian assistance is mounting. The head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, called the legislation “a dangerous precedent” and emphasized its potential for worsening the already dire situation for Palestinian civilians.
Israel has long accused UNRWA of being sympathetic to Hamas, and its officials have alleged that some of UNRWA’s thousands of employees were involved in the Hamas attacks that took place last year—the incident that triggered the current war in Gaza. Israeli officials also claim that numerous UNRWA staff have ties to militant groups and that Hamas has used the agency’s facilities for military purposes, including the storage of weapons. UNRWA responded by firing nine employees following an internal investigation but denied allegations that it intentionally aids armed groups. The agency also stated that it moves quickly to purge its ranks of individuals suspected of militant affiliations.
The accusations from Israel have had major consequences for UNRWA, with international donors slashing funding for the agency. Although some of the funding has since been restored, the new laws could severely limit the resources available to support Palestinians in Gaza, as UNRWA is one of the few humanitarian organizations with the infrastructure and capacity to operate within the conflict zone.
The laws passed on Monday follow a history of tensions between Israel and UNRWA, with Israel periodically accusing the agency of allowing its facilities to be used for militant activities. During the war, Israel raided and attacked several UNRWA facilities, including schools, citing evidence that Hamas fighters were using them for military purposes. UNRWA, for its part, claims that over 200 of its employees have been killed since the start of the war, and the agency remains steadfast in its mission to provide essential aid and services to millions of Palestinian refugees.
Lawmaker Boaz Bismuth, one of the co-sponsors of the new legislation, described the bills as a step toward “justice.” He said, “UNRWA is not an aid agency for refugees. It is an aid agency for Hamas.” Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, strongly condemned the laws, suggesting they were part of an ongoing campaign to discredit the agency. He said, “These bills will only deepen the suffering of Palestinians, especially in Gaza.”
The first law passed in the Israeli parliament by a vote of 92-10, while the second passed 87-9, despite fierce debates between its supporters and opponents. Opposition came largely from Arab parliamentary members, who argued that the legislation would only escalate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The consequences of the laws are profound, as they would effectively sever ties with the U.N. agency, strip it of its legal immunities, and curtail its ability to support Palestinians in east Jerusalem and the West Bank. The legislation does not make provisions for any other organization to take over UNRWA’s work, leaving significant uncertainty regarding aid distribution to Palestinians in need.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that UNRWA would be prevented from fulfilling its General Assembly-mandated role if the laws were implemented. He emphasized, “There is no alternative to UNRWA,” and called on Israel to uphold its obligations under the U.N. Charter and international law. Guterres further highlighted that national legislation cannot override international responsibilities and obligations.
Israel’s Allies Oppose The Laws
The passage of these laws has sparked opposition from many of Israel’s international allies, who are concerned about the severe consequences for Palestinians, particularly those in Gaza. The Gaza Strip is already grappling with widespread shortages of essential resources, such as food, water, and medicine. With over 1.9 million Palestinians displaced from their homes, the inability of UNRWA to function effectively could further deteriorate the humanitarian situation. The United States and other Western countries have expressed their dismay over the new measures. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized Washington’s concerns, stating, “There’s nobody that can replace them right now in the middle of the crisis.”
UNRWA is a lifeline for Palestinian refugees, providing essential services such as education, healthcare, and basic relief in Gaza, the West Bank, and across the region. If the new laws are implemented, they would take effect 60 to 90 days after Israel’s Foreign Ministry formally notifies the United Nations, leaving a short window for possible intervention or negotiation.
Devastation Continues In Gaza
Meanwhile, Gaza continues to be devastated by ongoing violence. According to reports from the Palestinian Health Ministry, the death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 43,000 people, the majority of whom are women and children. This figure, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, underscores the heavy toll of more than a year of relentless warfare.
Israeli forces have increasingly focused their military operations on Gaza’s northern regions, including a recent raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital, where Israeli military officials allege that militants were operating from within the hospital. On Friday, Israeli forces raided the hospital, reportedly engaging in heavy fighting in the surrounding area and finding weapons within the facility. The raid ended on Monday, with the Israeli military stating that 100 suspected Hamas militants had been detained, including some who had disguised themselves as medical personnel.
The World Health Organization (WHO) accused Israel of detaining 44 male hospital staff, a claim that adds to the confusion, as there are discrepancies between the figures provided by the WHO and Israeli officials. Palestinian medical officials stated that Kamal Adwan Hospital was severely damaged during the raid, endangering its patients—around 200 people who were being treated at the facility at the time of the attack.
The Israeli military has repeatedly accused Hamas of using hospitals in Gaza for military purposes, claims that have been denied by Palestinian medical officials. They accuse Israel of recklessly endangering civilian lives by attacking medical facilities. The humanitarian crisis has been further aggravated by the ongoing military operations in northern Gaza, which have been the focus of the Israeli offensive for the past three weeks. According to the United Nations, at least 400,000 people are still in northern Gaza, where conditions have become increasingly dire due to a lack of food, water, and medical supplies.
The Gaza war, which began more than a year ago, was triggered by an attack launched by Hamas and other militant groups, who stormed into Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and taking 250 others hostage. The conflict has since evolved into a broader confrontation involving Israel and its longtime enemies, Hezbollah and Iran. The war has fueled wider regional unrest, transforming what had been a shadow conflict into an open military engagement.
Intense Efforts For A Gaza Ceasefire
Efforts to broker a ceasefire have intensified in recent days, with international mediators renewing their calls for a halt to the fighting. After earlier attempts at mediation collapsed in late summer, Israel has signalled a willingness to revisit discussions regarding a ceasefire. Mossad chief David Barnea recently returned from Qatar, where he met with CIA Director David Burns and the Qatari Prime Minister to discuss the ongoing crisis.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi has proposed a two-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of four hostages, an idea that Israel appears open to considering. An unnamed Israeli official confirmed that discussions are underway, both internally and with Egyptian counterparts. Another Israeli official said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed enthusiasm for the proposal during a recent meeting with members of his Likud party. These discussions are occurring behind closed doors, as officials are not authorized to speak publicly about internal deliberations.
As of Monday, Hamas had not provided a formal response to the Egyptian ceasefire proposal, and efforts to reach Hamas officials for comment have so far been unsuccessful. The ongoing violence, coupled with the uncertainty surrounding the future of humanitarian aid in Gaza, paints a grim picture of the months ahead. Without effective intervention or a breakthrough in negotiations, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is likely to worsen, leaving millions of Palestinians in increasingly desperate conditions.