In brief
With Israeli legislation poised to sever ties with UNRWA, Gazans fear an escalation of their current humanitarian crisis, jeopardizing access to vital resources, services, and medical care.
In the war-torn region of Gaza, where humanitarian struggles are escalating, residents are becoming increasingly alarmed as Israel moves to implement a ban on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). “Unrwa means everything to us,” states Yasmine el-Ashry, a resident of Khan Younis. “It is our life, our food, our drink, and our medical care. Without it, there will be no flour, and if my son falls ill, I don’t know where to turn.” This sentiment echoes among many Gazans, including registered refugee Saeed Awida, who describes the ban as akin to another war against the Palestinian people. “They want to exterminate us, denying our access to necessary humanitarian services,” he adds. Despite international outcry against the legislation, it received considerable support within the Israeli parliament, asserting that allowing UNRWA to operate amounts to complicity with Hamas.Critics, like Sharren Haskel from the National Unity Party, argue the agency failed to dissociate from alleged terrorist activities. She insists on the need for urgent measures to protect their citizens. However, UNRWA defends its neutrality and warns that the proposed ban will have devastating effects, particularly in Gaza. Sam Rose, the agency’s deputy director, emphasizes that without cooperation from Israeli officials, the delivery of essential supplies and safety for staff would be severely compromised.The potential fallout includes the loss of protected spaces that currently house hundreds of thousands who have been displaced due to ongoing conflicts. This situation comes with warnings from various diplomatic sources about the repercussions of cutting off support to UNRWA, amidst accusations against Israel for violating international humanitarian laws.Established in 1949 after the first Arab-Israeli war, UNRWA has since grown to serve six million Palestinians across several regions, including Gaza, where a majority of the population is composed of refugees. The agency provides vital support through aid, educational programs, and health services.Amid escalating tensions following Hamas's recent attacks, UNRWA has faced mounting criticism and scrutiny. Just last week, it was confirmed that a Hamas commander who died in combat had been an employee of the agency, prompting calls for further investigation into alleged connections between UNRWA staff and Hamas.Despite taking measures to address allegations, the existence of UNRWA has long been a contentious issue within the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with allegations that its operations perpetuate the refugee problem. UN officials maintain that a resolution lies in a negotiated peace agreement rather than the dissolution of such agencies.For many in Gaza, the impending ban threatens to erase their refugee status entirely. “The term ‘refugee’ will vanish,” warns Mohammed Salman from Deir al-Balah, as residents brace themselves for the repercussions of what they view as an existential threat to their identity and survival.
