## Israeli Parliament Passes Bill to Ban UNRWA, Prompting Humanitarian Concerns

In a move that has sparked intense debate and widespread condemnation, the Israeli parliament approved a controversial bill to prohibit the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) from operating on Israeli soil. This decision could severely impact humanitarian aid distribution to Gaza, where UNRWA is a critical lifeline.

The legislation, passed with a significant majority of 92-10, followed a heated debate between its supporters and opponents, primarily from Arab parliamentary parties. While the bill will not take effect immediately, its implications are profound, particularly for Gaza, which is experiencing an escalating humanitarian crisis exacerbated by over a year of conflict.

UNRWA, the principal agency coordinating humanitarian aid in Gaza, has described the move as "outrageous." Juliette Touma, a spokeswoman for the agency, emphasized the potential disaster this ban could precipitate, particularly on the humanitarian operations in Gaza and parts of the occupied West Bank. Likewise, UNRWA media advisor Adnan Abu Hasna warned of the imminent collapse of the humanitarian process, calling Israel's decision an "unprecedented" escalation.

The agency plays a vital role across Palestinian territories, including the West Bank and occupied East Jerusalem, and supports Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Over the past decades, UNRWA has been the backbone of education, health services, and vocational training for millions of Palestinians, employing 13,000 people in Gaza alone.

Criticism has also come from the international community. A second bill aiming to sever diplomatic ties with UNRWA was set to be voted on later. Europe's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, and foreign ministers from several Western countries, including France, Germany, and the UK, have expressed severe concerns regarding the legislation. They stress that the ban stands in stark contradiction to international law and the principle of humanity.

Since the onset of the latest conflict, Israel has accused UNRWA of harboring ties to the Hamas group, claiming that some UNRWA staff participated in attacks and that Hamas assets have been found near UNRWA facilities. UNRWA has consistently denied these accusations, asserting its commitment to purge any suspected fighters from within its ranks.

International aid organizations and a fraction of Israel's allies have voiced strong objections to the bills, emphasizing the significant disruption this could cause to the vital humanitarian efforts in Gaza. The humanitarian crisis has been dire, with nearly all of Gaza's 2.4 million residents displaced at least once and a staggering 42,000 Palestinians reported killed by health officials since October last year. The situation is further aggravated by Israel's strict controls on border crossings, restricting essential supplies like food, medicine, and fuel.

UNRWA itself has endured substantial losses, with at least 233 team members killed, and two-thirds of its facilities in Gaza either damaged or destroyed. As the Israeli parliament moves forward with its legislative agenda, the international community watches with bated breath, fearing the further deterioration of an already critical humanitarian situation in Gaza.