The reports cited the passage of Israeli legislation that bans UNRWA’s activities on Israeli soil, including Gaza and the West Bank, and concerns over coordination with Israel to deliver aid. Louise Wateridge, a senior UNRWA official, was quoted in the article saying the law would jeopardize the agency’s ability to coordinate with Israeli authorities, potentially endangering the lives of staff members, according to Ynet reports.
Jamie McGoldrick, the former head of UN aid operations in Gaza and the West Bank, expressed his concern, calling the cessation of operations a "massive impact" on an already dire situation. "If that is what the Israeli intention is — to remove any ability for us to save lives — you have to question what is the thinking and what is the end goal?" McGoldrick stated.
The report also highlighted the plight of refugees who depend on UNRWA services for survival. One such refugee, Sami Abu Darweesh, living in a Gaza refugee camp, said, “The world has abandoned us. We have nothing but the aid we get from UNRWA to survive. If that stops, what will we do?”
In response, UNRWA's communications director, Juliette Thom, rejected the report, calling it “grossly inaccurate.” Thom reiterated the agency's commitment to providing essential services and emphasized that the organization’s director-general, Philippe Lazarini, had made clear their intention to continue operations. She further dismissed the quoted opinions as individual perspectives, stating, “If someone has an opinion, that doesn't mean it's right.”
The controversy comes as Israeli legislation, introduced by Knesset member Dan Illouz from the Likud Party, is set to take effect this month. The law prohibits UNRWA’s activities on Israeli territory, including preventing contact with Israeli officials and the IDF. The legislation followed reports linking the agency to the October 7 massacre, with a UN investigation confirming that several UNRWA employees were involved in the attack.
Pressure on UNRWA has also increased due to a freeze in funding from Western countries, including the United States, Switzerland, and Britain, who raised concerns over the potential misuse of funds for terrorist activities. This financial strain has added to the challenges the agency faces in continuing its work in the region.
0 Comments